THE restoration of Crewe's former Flag Lane baths and a new town music venue are among the projects that will be funded by a £22.9 million government windfall dropping into Crewe.

The big funding win has been revealed today (Thursday) as part of 15 Town Deals, which will see £335m pumped into "forgotten" towns of the country.

Crewe has secured close to most of the £25m it bid for after a lengthy application process steered by the Crewe Town Board who drafted a Town Investment Plan detailing where the money would be spent.

Among the plans are those to turn the art deco listed baths building, which is in disrepair after closing five years ago, into a community hub.

Some of the funding will also be funnelled into a 'Lyceum Powerhouse', a music venue housing creative production facilities, a base for skills training and space for creative enterprises

Other projects on the drawing board include a multi-use games area and an upgrade to facilities at the Cumberland Arena, where a new 250-spectator stand will be built.

A new youth centre for the town is also on the list of projects to plug the gap left after Mirion Street Youth Centre burnt down and the Cheshire East Council-run Youth Zone in Market Street closed last year.

Money will also be spent on walking and cycling routes from Crewe Railway Station via Mill Street and along Valley Brook.

The big cash injection into the town has been welcomed by Crewe and Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan.

The MP, who is a member of the Town Board, said: "This is huge news for Crewe and I want to thank the Town Board for all their efforts in getting to this point.

"The Flag Lane Baths and Mirion Street Youth Club are both huge assets for the town that have been fighting for funding for a long time."

And the MP added: "I campaigned for Crewe to get a Town Deal because I knew it would be a huge opportunity. I walked the minister in charge around Crewe in 2019 and got him speaking to residents so he could hear about the challenges straight from the horses mouth.

"It's been a long journey since then. But the projects we are funding are going to help transform our town and deliver on building back better."

The MP says more provision needs to be made for young people in the town centre and the proposals for a new multi-use games area is a "quick win", while there will be a five-year programme of investment in the town's parks.

"Improving the access and upgrading the facilities at Cumberland Arena will help more people exercise and make the most out of the first class site we have there," added the MP.

Crewe also secured a £14.1m windfall earlier this year under the government's Future High Streets Fund and over the next three years that will be invested in developing a high-tech centre at Christ Church and a History Centre based at the town's former library in the Civic Centre.

The MP added: "I think Crewe is going to be totally transformed over the next few years and I can't wait to see it happen."

Crewe West councillor Connor Naismith paid tribute to the Rev. David Edwards and the Always Ahead Charity for their work progressing the plans for the hub.

These include providing a community meeting space for local groups, the unemployed and services for the homeless. While there will also be entertainment space, including a cinema and an outdoor amphitheatre.

Cllr Naismith said: "This simply would not be on the agenda without their (Rev. Edwards and charity) hard work. Thanks also to the Crewe Town Board and representatives from Crewe Town Council, Cheshire East and stakeholders from across the town for putting the successful bid together.

"I am delighted that the project will be receiving deserved funding. It was the number one issue I campaigned on in my recent by-election campaign because I know it is also a real concern of residents that this building is put back into use."

Crewe Town Board Chairman Doug Kinsman said: "The funding will help to set the town on a new and exciting path. Much time, effort and dedication from all those involved went into developing the bid to the Towns Fund and it just shows that great things can be achieved together."

The board will now work with Cheshire East Council to thrash out the details of the package of projects to go forward over the next 12 months.

It will submit a full business case to government to be signed off, detailing specific plans before work starts on the projects.

The board's chairman added: "Crewe's communities were hugely important in shaping our bid to government and we will continue to have those conversations so that the package of projects we deliver reflects the outcomes people want to see."

Crewe Town Mayor, Cllr Tom Dunlop, said. "This clearly demonstrates what can be achieved when we work together and put the Crewe community at the core of our exciting and ambitious vision for the town.

"It's going to transform Crewe over the next couple of years, making the town a more attractive place to live, work and invest in.

"I'm looking forward to continuing to work with our partners at Cheshire East Council and the Crewe Town Board to forge ahead and see these amazing projects delivered."

Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government Luke Hall said: "I know Kieran Mullan campaigned very hard for Crewe to get a Town Deal because he knew the difference it could make for Crewe. This is just part of what we are doing to build back better for not just the residents of Crewe but across the North West."

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