Macclesfield Indoor Market refurbish

Above: Shrewsbury Indoor Market on a cold and icy November morning was a pleasure to behold

A few years too late, but Cheshire East Council has finally started work on refurbishing Macclesfield indoor market.

The market, currently a disgrace and shadow of what it once was, ceased to be regarded as a market by visitors a long time ago. If I recall that was when traders started to up-sticks and move into Chestergate properties because the rents were lower.

Over the past few years more entrepreneurs than I can remember risked their hard-earned to start up small businesses in the market. Only to be thwarted by poor trading conditions.

Work on the market space is scheduled to be completed in spring 2025, but we’re not holding our breath.

One only has to look at Macclesfield’s Treacle Market – a lesson to all in what can be achieved by independent thought and entrepreneurial spirit.

And if you want to see what can be done with indoor markets take a look at Shrewsbury Indoor Market, which enjoys nearly three floors, all packed with traders and shoppers.

The council says Macclesfield Market refurb “will create an improved space within the Grosvenor Shopping Centre for residents and visitors to the market to enjoy, and an environment for Macclesfield’s independent offer to thrive.

“The vision for the market is that it will become a home for independent retail, a food and produce hub and an important space for local entrepreneurs.”

Their marketing spiel goes on to say “. . . the market will be re-energised with a suite of high impact visual enhancements. The physical improvements will help to create a welcoming market, and to increase footfall and dwell time supporting vitality and viability of the town centre.

A pound to a penny that was written by the sales-team from the successful development company.

Sorry to sound cynical but I’ve been around for many, many years and heard it all before. To be honest I don’t believe a word of it. Cheshire East have the habit of saying all the right things – usually in marketing speak – but consistently fail to come up with the goods.

Councillor Nick Mannion, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “The indoor market at Macclesfield is already a place where people enjoy going but we realise that we need to restore it to being somewhere that really welcomes people.

“The building blocks are already there in terms of the traders we have, and we are actively seeking new traders with unique and quirky offers to come to the market when the refurbishment completes in the spring.

“The work we are undertaking now is all part of the process to build a future for the market where it is a shopping destination that the town can be proud of. 

“In the meantime, while we work to that goal, I would strongly encourage everyone to keep supporting your local traders as the refurbishment works are happening. Some of those familiar faces may be moving around the market as the refurbishment progresses and will appreciate your support.”

Councillor Michael Gorman, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council and chair of its economy and growth committee, said: “A successful market is about having the right balance of a sound offer and an environment where shoppers and traders alike feel comfortable.

“We are committed to working together to ensure that the market is inclusive and welcoming, a place that people visit to experience a personal service and have the opportunity to purchase good value and good quality products.”

The indoor market will remain open for the entirety of the refurbishment works taking place. Over Christmas the opening hours will be as follows:

• Monday 23 December – 9am-5pm
• Tuesday 24 December – 9am-4pm
• Christmas Day and Boxing Day – closed
• Friday 27 December – 9am-5.30pm

Additionally, the market will also open on Sunday 22 December from 10.30am to 3.30pm to coincide with the Macclesfield Christmas Treacle Market.

What Cheshire East fail to grasp is that traders and retailers will only come into Macclesfield if the town is vibrant and attracts footfall. On top of that the trading costs, rent and rates, need to stack up.

For Cheshire East councillors who’ve never been to Macclesfield, this is the reality:

Why does the council think retailers have abandoned the Grosvenor Centre, who’ve spent £millions on upgrading? Because the rest of the town centre is in free-fall – because Cheshire East in its wisdom has seen to invest, between 2014 and 2023, nearly £300m in Crewe and Congleton whilst putting just £26m into Macclesfield.

When the ex Deputy PM and late Lord John Prescott concluded that combining Macclesfield into the unitary authority of Cheshire East would change its fortunes and ultimately its politics – he had it dead right.

The following shows where Macclesfield stands in the council’s investment stakes:

It may also be an indicator of why Cheshire East currently faces an overspend to the tune of £100 million.

If you missed ilovemacc’s item on the bubbling fortunes of Congleton it’s here:
https://www.ilovemacc.com/2024/11/28/as-macclesfield-dies-congleton-booms/

And Crewe here:
https://www.ilovemacc.com/2023/11/27/yet-more-of-your-money-goes-to-crewe/