Congleton Regeneration Working Group

The following members sit on this Working Group:

• Cllr Russell Chadwick– Chair
• Cllr Robert Douglas– Vice Chair
• Cllr Martin Amies
• Cllr David Brown
• Cllr Suzy Firkin
• Cllr Amanda Martin
• Cllr Rob Moreton – Deputy Mayor
• Cllr Kay Wesley
• David McGifford- Congleton Town Council – Chief Officer
• Jackie MacArthur- Congleton Town Council – Communities and Marketing Manager and Deputy Chief Officer
• Rachel McCarthy Congleton Town Council – Town Centre and Events Officer

Purpose: The Regeneration Working Group’s remit is to explore and where possible implement or work with partners to implement improvements to the town centre. The remit includes physical and social changes. The group will work collaboratively with East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce, landlords. Developers, Cheshire East Council and other interested and vested partners with the aim of future-proofing the Town Centre and to ensure that it can continue to service the needs of our growing town.

Objectives:

Short-term

1. CTC website to promote the business offer of the town.
2. CTC to manage the first floor improvement business grant
3. CTC to monitor KPI for the town centre – vacancy rates, car parking statistics, own footfall counts, business confidence

Medium

1. Consideration of further activity to improve the Town Centres physical appearance, namely shop fronts 
2. Lobby for investment to enable an increase in new start up business activity and ongoing business support funding within the Town to improve business confidence.
3. To assist those wishing to invest and increase the offer in our town through supporting their applications with Cheshire East and offering any support that we are able to offer. T
4. To create a forum for local landlords to support each other and future development for the town.
5. Create more activities, offers and promotions within the Town Centre.

Long-term

1. Development of the Congleton Town Centre to include an integrated approach to residential and commercial activity, to enable Congleton residents to enjoy leisure activities in conjunction with local business goals.
2.  Reduce the number of empty units within the Town Centre area through working with landlords and owners
3.  Increase the spend and number of visits to the Town Centre by Congleton residents and visitors.

Partners

• Cheshire East Council
• East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce
• Congleton Businesses
• Landlords
• Developers