Town centres across the UK have been forced to adapt to changing consumer demands. Namely, a shift to online shopping for large retailers and limited interest in conventional high-street outlets. Local businesses have had to find new and innovative ways to attract customers to the town centre, no longer able to rely on the pull from larger outlets. 

Nantwich seems to have adjusted well to this change; walking down the town centre, you’ll see families gathering on the green next to St Mary’s, sports fan in the newly opened GOAT bar, or groups sitting down to eat at one of the many restaurants. 

Unfortunately, Crewe town centre has so far struggled to reach similar levels of footfall. I’ve spoken to many local business owners that are keen to see our high streets bustling like they once were. 

However, key sites like the M&S building on Market Street have been left unoccupied for too long and hospitality businesses are outnumbered in certain parts of Crewe by betting shops and fast-food chains. 

Many of you have told me this is one of the most important issues facing our area. It speaks right to the heart of our community – it’s where we head after a long day at the office or after school on a weekday, where we meet with friends and family at the weekend.

It’s something I’m acutely aware of myself when I’m heading into town with my family or grabbing some lunch on my days in the constituency office.  

Reviving the high street has been a personal mission of mine, it being one of the five pledges I made to you at the general election. To deliver it, we need to work closely with local businesses, investors, elected representatives and community groups.  

Cheshire East Council have set a long-term goal of earning Crewe the title of ‘best small city in Europe’ by 2050.

Their Regeneration Programme outlines some of their ongoing projects to achieve this. I’m a big fan of the Market Hall and look forward to the opening of the History Centre next summer. 

Bringing people into the town centre requires us to think outside the box. We need to make the case to investors that if they choose Crewe town centre for their business, the customers will be there.  

I know that many of you have also been closely following bids for the redevelopment of the Royal Arcade site, as well as the old M&S building. I have been holding meetings with relevant stakeholders on both of these sites to remain in-the-loop of any changes of use. 

As some of you may be aware, the Royal Arcade site will be repurposed as a green space for the time being. Cheshire East Council are also considering plans to develop an additional 300 homes at the site in the long-term. I understand the old M&S site may also remain a mixed-use property as it historically has been. 

For people with concerns about residential areas in the town centre, please don’t turn your nose up at it just yet. Historically, our towns have always had people living right in the heart of it.

The railway cottages in Crewe provided accommodation to workers just a short distance from the train station. In Nantwich, you can find historic Grade II listed townhouses like those on Welsh Row. 

With more people living in the town centre, it gives our small businesses more customers to serve, drives economic growth, and provides much-needed accommodation for residents in a well-known area, close to amenities.  

This is what mixed-use developments look like. We can tackle the housing crisis while also creating new opportunities for businesses to thrive. As far as I’m concerned, we do not have to choose between housing or regeneration on our high streets. 

Connectivity is also vital to boosting town centre activity. We need to make sure there are clear routes in and out of the centre, for those that live there or commute in.  

Labour has already given us greater control over our own public transport systems through the Bus Services Bill and English Devolution and Community Engagement Bill, but there’s still more to be done. 

That’s why I wrote to the Council to request that we use some of the recent £1.75m transport funding allocation for a shuttle bus taking people from Crewe Station to the retail park, and onto Lyceum Square. It’s our job to make the journey as easy as possible for people coming in and out of the town centre. 

What we need with all of these plans is direct community engagement. To make sure that people who understand Crewe and Nantwich are the ones making decisions in the best interests of our towns. As these conversations are ongoing, I promise to use my platform to give you a seat at the table.  

If anyone has any thoughts on what I’ve discussed here, please drop me an email at [email protected] 

My office is currently looking at ways to make sure your voice is heard with new developments for town centre regeneration. I look forward to giving you an update on this as soon as possible.