Crewe's Royal Arcade plans £48m upgrade

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Sep 4, 2017

Crewe’s Royal Arcade could be transformed into a mixed-use leisure and retail scheme as part of a £48.3m plan to revitalise the town centre.

Cheshire East Council is to consider the £48 million project next week, including the redevelopment of the Royal Arcade site, refurbishment of the Market Hall and investment in the public realm.

If approved, the proposal could trigger wider regeneration and growth in Crewe ahead of the arrival of HS2, the government’s new high-speed rail network, in the town in 2027.

The proposed plans for Royal Arcade include a new eight-screen cinema, gym and 90,000 sq ft of retail space, as well as a new bus station and 450-space multi-storey car park. According to Cordwell Property Group, its letting agents Colliers, Knight Frank and New Street Commercial are already in discussions with a “major household name retailer” to anchor the scheme.

Councillor Don Stockton, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: “Following consultation with residents in 2015, we’ve been working with cabinet members, local members and officers to bring together proposals which will transform Crewe town centre.  

“It’s essential that Crewe becomes better placed to benefit from all that HS2 can bring, as well as deliver the ambitious economic growth targets outlined in the emerging Constellation Growth Strategy for the sub-region.”

The report being presented to the cabinet next week seeks approval to invest almost £15 million of council funding, alongside the allocation of £10 million of funding from Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership. A further £23.6 million will be drawn in from the private sector.