Crewe's Labour MP has pressed Cheshire East Council to exercise new powers as "curator" of the high street in Crewe and Nantwich.

Connor Naismith has registered objections to plans for a new adult gaming site on Edleston Road, opposite his constituency office.

The applicant has submitted change of use proposals for 240 Edleston Road, formerly occupied by Poole Alcock Solicitors.

The new adult gaming centre would be open 9am to 11pm, seven days a week.

In his written objections to the plans, Mr Naismith referenced the links between adult gaming sites and anti-social behaviour as well as the failure for such venues to provide vital footfall to surrounding retailers due to their age restrictions and closed-off shop fronts.

Connor Naismith MP says Cheshire East 'can and should' intervene to stop unwanted businesses taking over our high streets (Photo: Supplied).

Mr Naismith also stated the plans conflicted with national planning policy, specifically the government's 'Pride in Place Strategy,' which explicitly empowers local authorities to block the proliferation of unwanted gambling venues, vape shops, and betting offices that hollow out local communities.

The MP has also written to the Chair of the Cheshire East Economy & Growth Committee requesting Cheshire East adopt a formal strategy to implement High Street Rental Auctions on vacant units, including more interventionist measures to prevent "low value" uses from hollowing out the high street.

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Labour's Pride in Place programme, launched in September 2025, included an extension of Community Right to Buy powers, Compulsory Purchase Powers on disused sites and the ability to block unwanted shops like new betting shops, vapes stores and fake barbers.

Mr Naismith will be monitoring future planning applications for sites that fail to meet the criteria set out in the Cheshire East Local Plan Strategy (2010–2030) and national policy under the High Street Curation and "Pride in Place" Strategy.

The Crewe MP told Nub News "Whether it's another adult gaming centre, a dodgy mini-market or a vape shop, my message is the same: the local authority can and should intervene to stop unwanted businesses taking over our high streets.

"Our town centres should first and foremost serve the local community. Every site must contribute to creating a sense of place and promoting social cohesion in some way.

"My team will be monitoring upcoming planning applications for similar interventions, and I encourage all residents who feel strongly about the future of our high streets to register their own objections."

Reform UK member, Dave Price, agreed with the Crewe and Nantwich MP, labelling the plans a "recipe for disaster."

Mr Price told Nub News: "I totally agree with Connor on this one, it will only suit a minority of Crewe residents and possibly be a focal point of gatherings of opposing cultures."

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