Crewe's town centre is facing a growing empty shops crisis, with a new survey recording 72 closed shops across Crewe Central, West Street and the town centre.

The figures, compiled by Crewe resident and Crewe South town councillor Vicky Shaw (Reform), compare the state of the town centre in 2025, January 2026 and August 2026.

The latest figures show 72 shops are now recorded as closed, compared with 55 in January and 63 in 2025.

This survey also records a sharp rise in premises which were previously shops but are now flats or houses.

There are now 63 former shops being used as homes, compared with 39 in January and 33 in 2025.

The figures paint a picture of a changing town centre, with traditional businesses disappearing while other types of premises become more prominent.

There are now 12 e-cigarette and vape shops, compared with just two in 2025, while the number of bookies has risen from seven to nine.

The survey records 16 pubs which have closed, compared with 12 in January and 14 in 2025.

There are currently 13 grocers, 12 beauty shops, 11 barbers, 10 pubs and 10 kebab shops.

However, the number of coffee shops has fallen from five in January to three, while hairdressers have dropped from five to four.

Vicky Shaw says the figures demonstrate the scale of the challenge facing Crewe.

She told Nub News: "Crewe is a town with proud history, hardworking people, and enormous potential, yet our High Street and town centre do not reflect that pride.

"Based on the evidence I have produced, including recent photographs of Crewe Central, it is clear that our High Street has fallen into a state of neglect that is unacceptable for a town of our size and importance.

"I now believe Crewe has one of the worst high streets in the country, and the visual reality supports that concern."

She says the 'Great Crewe' regeneration programme must deliver meaningful change rather than simply provide a vision for the future.

One proposal she has put forward is an NHS walk-in and Minor Injuries Unit in the town centre.

Cllr Shaw believes a centrally located health facility could bring people into the town centre, support residents who struggle to reach Leighton Hospital and make use of empty or underused buildings.

She believes a centrally located health facility could bring people into the town centre, support residents who struggle to reach Leighton Hospital and make use of empty or underused buildings.

Her survey records 10 health-related or dental premises, seven banks and eight supermarkets.

Cllr Shaw added: "A great town centre needs shops, activity, footfall, and a sense of safety and pride, all of which Crewe is currently missing.

"Crewe deserves a town centre that works for its residents, one with shops, services, healthcare access, and a High Street that reflects pride rather than decline.

"Regeneration must be meaningful, visible, and rooted in the needs of the community.

"A 'great Crewe' cannot be achieved through branding alone; it requires real investment, real change, and a commitment to making Crewe a town its residents can be proud of again."

Check out Cllr Shaw's Crewe South high street survey on Crewe Nub News HERE.

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