Lottery win for Cheshire Archives

Above: Mill Street, Macclesfield at the turn of the century

Cheshire Archives and Local Studies has been given the go-ahead by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to start delivering an ambitious new vision for archives. 

Cheshire Archives and Local Studies looks after Cheshire’s unique and irreplaceable written and pictorial history and the Lottery Fund’s decision will transform access to the collections and ensure their preservation for future generations.

The project – Cheshire’s archives: a story shared – will see Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester Councils create two new history centres in Chester and Crewe. Locations for the centres have been identified at the site of the former Enterprise Centre, Hoole Road, Chester, and the site of the old Crewe Library. These sites would service an improved outreach and digital programme, giving greater access to Cheshire’s history. 

Cheshire East say that the new buildings will create:

• A greater and more diverse range of people using the archive
• Learning opportunities for residents
• Opportunities to develop and exchange skills
• The chance to transform the way the service works
• Better outcomes for people’s health and wellbeing 

Councillor Jill Rhodes, cabinet member with responsibility for archives at Cheshire East Council said: “We’re delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to National Lottery players and it is absolutely tremendous news for residents in both east and west. It will be fantastic to see the site in Crewe become such a valuable resource, helping us to celebrate our heritage while supporting town centre regeneration and the Crewe Cultural Strategy.”