A number of new businesses have opened/are opening in Crewe town centre, thanks to the popular Repurposing Our High Streets (ROHS) grant scheme.

The ROHS 'Open in Crewe' grant scheme offers capital grants of up to £30,000* (subject to meeting eligibility criteria) for businesses taking on leases at vacant town premises.

In 2024, the grant scheme, funded by the UK Government Towns Fund, allowed a variety of businesses to open their doors in Crewe, leading to several success stories.

These new businesses include:

Big Mugs

Big Mugs, Edleston Road, opened on November 22, supported by the Repurposing Our High Streets (ROHS) grant scheme (Ryan Parker).

Big Mugs, 251 Edleston Road, officially launched on 22 November, following a soft launch in the days prior.

Operated by Laura Donaldson and Josh Wenlock from Crewe, the independent coffee house seats around 30 people and is dog-friendly.

Big Mugs benefitted from the ROHS scheme, using the funds to decorate the unit and get everything started.

"This street is doing really well now, with the Open in Crewe scheme a lot to thank for that," said Josh.

Oden Lounge

Oden Lounge, 12 High Street, launched on 5 October, with the ROHS grant sheme helping with its unit renovations (Ryan Parker).

Oden Lounge, 12 High Street, officially launched on 5 October, with the business ever growing in popularity.

Operated by husband and wife, Opeyemi and Duduyemi Opaleye, the African pub and restaurant offers African cuisine, along with cocktails, beers and more.

Duduyemi said: "Without the grant, we wouldn't have been able to stock up or bring to Crewe what we envisioned.

"The scheme really helped with our renovations, it was a blessing in disguise."

Total Tile UK

Total Tile UK, 47 Victoria Street, launched on 11 November, with Tte ROHS grant scheme helping with the start-up costs (Ryan Parker).

Total Tile UK, 47 Victoria Street, launched on 11 November, with a ground floor and first floor showroom.

Owned by Curt Hodson, who operated Total Tile and Bathrooms for 15 years until his "brief" retirement, the 24/7 tile technology store offers customers a "convenient" way of viewing its products.

The ROHS grant helped with the costs of having Total Tile UK fitted out, with Curt positive about the future of the town centre.

He said: "I am quite positive about developments in Crewe town centre at the moment, there is a lot of potential and the grant scheme is really taking off."

Ice and Fire Studios

Ice & Fire Studios, High Street, officially launched 27 July, operated by Meg Luan and her partner Dan Melville (Nub News).

Ice & Fire Studios, 14 High Street, officially launched 27 July, next door to Oden Lounge.

Operated by Meg Luan, from Crewe, along with partner Dan Melville (photographer), the new business takes up one half of the former Craft Beer Oasis.

Ice & Fire Studios used the ROHS scheme to redesign the unit to the Crewe couple's taste.

Meg said: "I am excited to see Crewe will hopefully be brought back to life again."

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Another new Crewe town centre business soon to open is:

Bobobo

Bobobo, operated by Katie Davis, will be opening at 32 Market Street this year thanks to help from the ROHS grant scheme (Ryan Parker).

Bobobo will be opening at 32 Market Street, formerly occupied by Magnolia Hair & Beauty this year.

The bubble tea outlet, which launched its first store in Stafford town centre in 2022, is owned by Katie Davis.

Bobobo serves bubble teas in fruit and milk varieties, with lots of extra toppings.

It also offers a make you own bubble waffle, with options including ice cream, tapioca, toffee pieces, sauce, biscuits and fruit.

Bobobo is opening thanks to help from the ROHS scheme. The business was due to open in 2024 but this was delayed due to water issues at the unit.

Funded by the UK Government Towns Fund (ROHS).

Whether you are a start-up business, looking to expand your existing business into Crewe or want your organisation to have a high street presence, the ROHS grant scheme can help you by contributing towards the initial capital costs of occupying and operating from vacant commercial premises.

Grants are available to sole traders, existing businesses, community enterprises and charities, plus some organisations that take on new leases of previously vacant commercial premises in Crewe Town Centre.

There are various other criteria- for the full details and to check whether you would be eligible click HERE.

READ MORE: Remains of old Crewe chapel discovered on former car park.

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