Cheshire East has scrapped its original plans to develop Crewe's Royal Arcade, looking to temporarily use the site for 'meanwhile uses' instead.

The council bought the town centre site in 2015 for £6m with ambitious plans to build a new bus station, multi-storey car park and a mixed-use scheme comprising leisure facilities such as a cinema, together with shops and restaurants.

Phase one – the bus station and car park – are under construction and expected to be operational by spring 2024.

Phase one of Crewe's Royal Arcade scheme, a multi-storey car park and bus interchange, is set to be completed by spring 2024 (Ryan Parker).

Phase two – the mixed-use scheme – will not now go ahead as originally planned after the council's economy and growth committee voted unanimously on Tuesday 14 November for the site to be used for 'meanwhile uses.'

This could include, a children's play area, temporary go-karting track, a trampoline park, pop-up cinema or space for traders to sell food and drink.

A 'member reference group' will be set up to advance plans for 'meanwhile uses' and it will also continue to explore alternative funding opportunities for the scheme as originally proposed, and review options for the longer-term development of the site.

The 'meanwhile uses' cannot be put in place until after the site is handed back to the council next spring.

Development and regeneration delivery manager, Jez Goodman, told the committee: "Three years ago, when the council entered into the development agreement with Peveril Securities we had a scheme that was viable.

"Over the past 18 months the council has been working with Peveril to try to address the significant viability gap but has been unable to do so.

Cheshire East bought Crewe town centre's Royal Arcade site in 2015 for £6m with ambitious plans to build a new bus station, multi-storey car park and a mixed-use scheme (Google).

"The recent decision by government to scrap HS2 north of Birmingham has exacerbated the problem," said Mr Goodman.

Crewe councillor Connor Naismith (Labour), blamed the financial crisis on the government.

He said: "Locally we have also had the disastrous handling of the northern leg of HS2 where for weeks, if not months, speculation over a project which was the cornerstone of Crewe's future development was allowed to spiral out of control culminating in the unforgivable decision to scrap the northern leg with huge consequences for the confidence of private investment in our town.

"I think it's fair to say the government has let us down, now we have to pick up the pieces, so I welcome the speed at which officers have responded to this news and for the options placed in front of us today."

"I support efforts by this council to call on the government to clean up its mess providing compensation for the loss of HS2.

"Should we be successful in those efforts, I believe consideration should be given to using that money towards Crewe town centre."

Crewe councillor Connor Naismith (Labour), blamed the financial crisis on the government (Nub News).

Cllr Janet Clowes (Wybunbury, Conservative), said the economic problems were being experienced globally but not just in the UK, but agreed with Cllr Naismith: "We absolutely need HS2 compensation."

Macclesfield councillor Nick Mannion (Labour), said it was reassuring officers had quickly looked at alternatives for the Royal Arcade site 'because the last thing we want is a hole in the ground in the middle of Crewe for years and what's proposed today is at least an interim use for that central site in our town'.

Cheshire East Council told Nub News it will not be providing an updated statement following its Royal Arcade meeting.

READ MORE: Matalan comments on brand new 20,000 sq ft Crewe store opening this weekend.

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