The solution to Macclesfield’s woes may be “right under their noses”

Having been responsible for it’s deterioration, Cheshire East councillors now seek ways to reverse the decline of Macclesfield town centre.

Can I suggest the solution may just be right under their noses and they just take a look at what has always worked in the town.

I feel like a voice in the wilderness having been banging on for years about Macclesfield’s market town heritage.

I’ve lost count of the number of disagreements I had with town hall planners and officers back in my Community News days.

“People don’t want markets any more” was their mantra.

Curiously, our most successful attribute would appear to be the Treacle Market.

So, for a start, why not try a market every Sunday?

If that’s a success then maybe extend an invitation to regular stall-holders to a mid-week market?

Maybe offer them a deal – pay for the Sunday stall and get a mid-week one for free.

Given this brings visitors into town, hopefully, eventually, there’ll be a strong incentive for the stall-holders and artisans to look at Macclesfield as a permanent place to set up their businesses.

Next, allowing the big retailers to knock two or three shops into one was a huge mistake.

It led to the demise of hundreds of small, successful family businesses and created huge retail units which are now not needed.

This is also thanks in no small part to the Council’s continual approval of out-of-town retail parks.

Convert the larger units back into single units with combined living accommodation above or behind – and refuse any future plans to re-create larger units.

Retaining single retail units, whilst opposing the combining of them, has been the single biggest contributor to the success of towns like Ludlow.

Macclesfield’s historical success was down to the huge variety of independent retailers.

It’s the variety of shops and market stalls that attract visitors – not being a clone town.