PLANNERS say a development agreement signed for the Royal Arcade scheme is an important step in realising the ambition to transform Crewe town centre.

The deal has been struck between Cheshire East Council and its development partner, Peveril Securities Ltd, which will pave the way for planning applications to be submitted.

The announcement comes as demolition works at the Royal Arcade site are poised to start.

Cllr Nick Mannion, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member for environment and regeneration, said: "The development agreement is the latest step in what is an exciting programme of regeneration for Crewe.

"We appreciate that the current pandemic has brought uncertain times for all of us, but this news not only shows our shared vision for the regeneration of Crewe town centre but also our commitment to rebuilding the local economy."

The Royal Arcade scheme includes a new bus station with an enclosed passenger waiting area, a 400-space multi-storey car park and leisure, restaurant and retail units which will be anchored by a new state-of-the-art cinema.

But the impact of Covid-19 has left doubts over how quickly the leisure and retail parts of the scheme will be delivered, leaving the development of the bus station and car park to be fast-tracked with a planning application expected next spring.

Cllr Mannion added: "The council and Peveril Securities Ltd have listened to local councillors and members of the recently established Crewe Town Board to identify how the new bus station and multi-storey car park can be built as soon as possible.

"A partially completed bus station is expected to be in place by summer 2022 with the plan to deliver the full facility and new car park in spring 2023.

"This scheme builds on recent successes seen in the town. It is also linked with other projects in the pipeline, which the council is bringing forward with the support and involvement of many partners that are working hard to develop Crewe into a town that residents can be proud of."

William Warrack, a director of Cordwell Property Ltd, development managers for Peveril Securities Ltd said: "How good it is in the middle of this pandemic to be involved in a scheme that is now starting on site with the commencement of demolition in preparation for the construction of the new bus interchange and multi-storey car park in the first £15 million phase of investment in Crewe town centre.

"We are looking forward to working with Cheshire East Council to bringing this long-awaited project to fruition and to the second £30m phase of a leisure and retail complex which is designed to bring back vitality to the town centre as well as the many visitors from the Cheshire East catchment area for whom this will form a state of the art venue."

Demolition work at the Royal Arcade site will start after final services are disconnected and asbestos removed from the empty shop units. The site is expected to be cleared by May next year.

Welcoming the news of the development agreement, Crewe and Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan said: "I want to thank the chairman and other members of the Crewe Town Board who worked so hard to ensure this agreement was one that took into account the uncertainties in the commercial realm we now face and so prioritised getting the bus station and car park first.

"This means we know that whatever happens, people in Crewe finally see progress. It is great the developer remains confident in the commercial side of things though, it shows yet again what potential Crewe has."

Crewe and Nantwich Labour politicians said in a statement: "Crewe has long suffered talk and debate about regeneration of our town centre under previous administrations. Cheshire East's first Labour administration is getting it done.

"I'm so pleased to see this development as I know from talking to residents it's an issue they care deeply about."