Cheshire East Council has announced plans for a new grant scheme - aimed at reducing the number of empty premises in Crewe town centre. 

'Repurposing our high streets' is part of a package of projects being supported by the government's Towns Fund and Crewe's allocation of up to £22.9m of funding.

Led by Cheshire East Council and overseen by Crewe Town Board, the project will include a grant scheme for businesses that take on vacant commercial premises in the town centre.

Market Street. As well as reducing the number of empty commercial premises, the scheme will help to improve the overall look of the town centre (Cheshire East Council).

The scheme's funding will also provide tailored business support and help to carry out improvements to the appearance of vacant Crewe premises. 

As well as reducing the number of empty commercial premises, the scheme will help to improve the overall look of the town centre.

It is aimed at increasing footfall, creating new jobs, and strengthening the mix of businesses in Crewe.

The project, details of which were discussed by the council's Economy and Growth Committee on Wednesday (January 17), is set to launch within the next few weeks.

High Street. The scheme is aimed at increasing footfall, creating new jobs, and strengthening the mix of businesses in Crewe (Ryan Parker).

Chair of Cheshire East Council's economy and growth committee, Cllr Nick Mannion, was pleased with this planned Crewe town centre initiative.

He said: "Like many town centres across the country, Crewe town centre continues to be impacted by a number of factors.

"This includes increased competition from online shopping and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This project responds to these challenges and in developing our plans, our work has included consulting with local property owners and agents and examining good practice from elsewhere.

"We have obtained specialist expertise from an independent expert in tackling the issue of empty shops, so that we can deliver the best possible outcomes.

Chair of Cheshire East Council's economy and growth committee, Cllr Nick Mannion (Cheshire East Council).

"It is expected this project will support more than 50 businesses through grants and business support, as well as support the creation of more than 60 jobs.

 "It will also complement a wider programme of projects, initiatives, and activities already underway, or planned, in other parts of the town centre, and form a key part of the comprehensive programme of regeneration.

"While we are not quite ready to open the scheme up to applications, we expect to do this within the next few weeks and look forward to sharing further information."

Those wishing to register an early interest in the Crewe scheme can do so by emailing: [email protected].

Crewe and Nantwich MP, Dr Kieran Mullan, urged Crewe residents to be patient with the project..

Queensway. It is expected this project will support more than 50 businesses through grants and business support (Cheshire East Council).

He added: "People have told me again and again we need to do something about the empty premises in Crewe town centre.

"I campaigned for us to get a Town Deal because I knew it was going to help us tackle problems like this.

"There are no quick fixes but this is making a start which is what levelling up is all about." 

READ MORE: Wistaston man who 'lied to save his own skin' in fatal collision incident escapes jail.

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