Open meeting to discuss town centre problems

Local MP, David Rutley, has organised a public meeting on Thursday 26^th March to enable local traders and local residents to find out more about future options for Macclesfield town centre, following Debenham’s decision not to go ahead with the Silk Street development.

The public meeting will take place at 7.30-9.00pm in St Michael’s Church in Market Place, which has kindly agreed to host this important event. Representatives from the Make it Macclesfield Forum will be attending and Cheshire East Council has been invited to attend. David will also be present. The meeting will provide a chance for those who attend to hear more about future opportunities for the town centre and to have their say on regeneration plans.

The future of the town centre was a hot topic of conversation at last Thursday’s Make it Macclesfield Annual General Meeting. The well attended meeting discussed Debenham’s decision and the almost unanimous view was that this should be seen as an opportunity to take forward plans to regenerate Macclesfield town centre. The group went on to discuss future priorities, including the existing vision for the town centre (of which the Wilson Bowden scheme is only part), the need for an enhanced leisure offer, including a cinema, and the potential for a Business Improvement District in Macclesfield.

David said, “Now is the time for local traders, community groups and the Council to work together to realise a better future for Macclesfield town centre. I hope as many local traders and residents as possible will take the time to attend the meeting. It will be an opportunity for them to find out more about options for the future and for their views to be heard, as plans are drawn up for the vitally important job of revitalising our town centre.”