PLANNING chiefs have promised "good news" about Crewe's Royal Arcade development despite fears the town centre may be left with a "big hole in the middle of the ground".

Demolition work in the town centre is poised to get underway within the next two weeks. Contractors are undertaking checks behind the hoarded off sections of Queensway and Victoria Street ahead of the vacant 1960s shopping mall and town clock being pulled down.

It is part of the long-term redevelopment of Crewe town centre spearheaded by Cheshire East Council in partnership with developers Peveril Securities.

But Crewe East councillor Suzanne Brookfield issued a note of caution at the council's environment and regeneration overview and scrutiny committee this week.

Schemed in the development is a cinema, bowling alley and high-end retail units. Yet the impact off Covid-19 has thrown the future of the High Street into question and Cllr Brookfield said: "I know things have changed greatly over the last nine months or so. We have been promised a lot in Crewe and we've had some, but not enough to fulfil the potential of the town.

"We are concerned that we are going to be left with a big hole in the middle of the ground because of the challenging circumstances around retail and leisure.

"We are seeing cinemas closing up and down the country. Does the council have a plan B for the development in place?"

A rebuild of Crewe's rundown bus station was also part of the plans, but with the completion of the Royal Arcade project not scheduled until 2023, local councillors have urged an immediate spend renovating the Delamere Street interchange so it is "fit for purpose".

Cllr Brookfield added: "The bus station continues to decline rapidly and with winter coming up it's a hazard for its visitors who are often old and infirm. It needs to be addressed as a priority."

Cheshire East says it is talking to Ansa, its environmental services arm, about the terms of the station's lease while improvements at the existing station will be looked at.

Cheshire East Council's Director of Growth and Enterprise Peter Skates also hinted that should the scheme be held up planners will have to contemplate ways of presenting what would be a vacant site.

He said: "The Royal Arcade will provide a new bus station and while that is being considered there could be an interim bus station, an upgrade on the facility.

"Going forward in terms of the Royal Arcade we are committing to a bus station and a multi-storey car park and we are working with the developer about the commercial development as well.

"If there are concerns about the site lying fallow we will look at options to create a better environment while that process is in train, either a hoarded site or other uses if there is a delay."

The planning chief, who said there would be some "good news " delivered about the Arcade this week, added: "We have also appointed an operator for the Market Hall and the new facility will be open next spring and it will provide a new food and beverage offer in Crewe and that will coincide with the work at Lyceum Square."

Cheshire East bought the Royal Arcade site in April 2015 for £6m. It included 26 units on the west side of Queensway and the south side of Victoria Street with occupants including BHS, Santander and Wetherspoons.

All of the shops and businesses have since closed or relocated.