Crewe Councillor Highlights Evolving Role of Town Centres Amid Regeneration Efforts

A local councillor has stated that an arts venue, established in a former retail unit, has had a “really positive” impact on a town centre. This venue, named Crewe Makes, commenced operations in the heart of Crewe, occupying a premises previously used by an art and crafts vendor. The facility provides sections for artists to display their creations, alongside a complimentary drop-in area where members of the public can produce their own artwork. Fiona Wilson, representing Cheshire East Council, commented that establishing venues such as this arts space within the town centre is “really important”. Crewe’s town centre has encountered challenges over recent years, marked by numerous shop closures following the relocation of some retailers to a nearby retail park. The initial phase of a council-initiated regeneration project for the town centre, which included a new bus station and a multi-storey car park, became operational this year. However, a proposed second phase, which was initially intended to feature retail outlets and a cinema, was cancelled. The council attributed this decision to escalating expenses and instability following the cancellation of the northern section of the HS2 rail network. Ms Wilson, who serves as vice chair of the council’s economy and growth committee, informed BBC Politics North West that the town centre was “no different to any other town centre”. She stated, “The town centre isn’t going to go back to the historic times when we had department stores and things like that, so repurposing empty shops and having something like this in an empty shop is far, far better than having a shop sitting empty,”. She added, “From a council point of view, town centres are moving into a different role currently and town centres are more looking at things like hospitality, makers markets.”Independence is very important on the high street,”. A three-year initiative supporting Crewe’s creative arts sector has secured financial backing from Arts Council England. Novae Baghurst, co-director of Crewe Creates, the organization responsible for Crewe Makes, expressed her belief that the venue assists the local community in fostering creativity, contributes to individuals’ mental wellbeing, and represents “something joyous in the town centre”. Ms Baghurst mentioned that some residents in the town were “a bit bemused” during the establishment phase, prior to its launch at the close of October. She recounted, “They were all asking what type of shop we were,”. However, she noted that the premises’ previous function made it more inviting for individuals. “It’s been really nice that people who wouldn’t necessarily go into a traditional shop have come into our space because it used to be a shop,” she added. Dawn Clark, Crewe’s mayor, described the arts venue as a “piece of the jigsaw that has been missing”. This forms part of an additional cultural initiative scheduled for the town in the forthcoming years. She concluded, “We all recognise that our town centres have moved on, they’re a different sort of space not just for selling goods and to make the space more friendly for communities,”.