Cheshire East Council is asking Macclesfield's residents and businesses to help shape concept designs for the historic heart of the town centre, as it pushes ahead with its vision for regeneration.

A public consultation has been launched today on draft concept designs for public realm enhancements in Chestergate and Market Place.

The designs include introducing more greenery; widening pavement areas to improve the pedestrian experience and create more space for 'alfresco' use by cafés, bars and restaurants.

The concepts are also seeking opportunities to reduce carbon emissions and better showcase Macclesfield's creativity and distinctiveness.

Pedestrianised hours on Market Place may be reduced, or scrapped completely.

Currently the barriers close off cars from our town's high street between 11am-4pm Monday to Friday, and 10am-4pm on Saturdays.

A new heritage lighting column, raised pedestrian crossing and new illuminated No Entry sign before the barriers past Unicorn Gateway are planned.

The council does not currently have funding identified for the delivery of these public realm enhancements, but agreed and costed designs are needed to support any bids for funding.

It is possible it could happen - but to cost it, and see what the town really wants - our borough council are asking the people of Macclesfield for help.

The plans go beyond the cosmopolitan wooden seating temporarily outside Market Place businesses.

This summer's seating has a licence to last until September 2022.

Peter Skates, Cheshire East Council's director of growth and enterprise, spoke to Macclesfield Nub News.

He said: "The public consultation on our Macclesfield Strategic Regeneration framework in 2019 identified a strong desire to see the town centre environment enhanced.

"It highlighted that the public view Chestergate and Market Place as priority locations for regeneration.

"We are acting on those views and have launched this consultation to make sure that the final concept designs draw on local knowledge and are informed by local people.

"The vision for Macclesfield is about a town that celebrates its quirkiness; a town which is green, creative, connected and social.

"And in putting together these draft designs, that vision has very much been kept in mind.

"I hope that residents and businesses alike will take the time to participate in our consultation – there are a variety of proposals and we encourage you to share your views."

The consultation follows work on the Castle Street public realm enhancement scheme in Macclesfield town centre, which began in April this year and is ongoing.

We recently reported on the revitalisation of Castle Street, which you can read about here.

To view the draft concept designs and have your say, visit this webpage.

Maxonian's have until until 5pm on October 1 2021 to have their say.

People can also respond to the consultation by emailing: [email protected].

But you don't need to have internet access to have your say on the future of our town's high street.

You can also write comments to: Macclesfield Regeneration, 2nd Floor, Macclesfield Town Hall, Market Place, Macclesfield, SK10 1EA.

You can also tell Macclesfield Nub News what you'd like to see on social media.

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