Macclesfield: Indoor market revamp moves a step closer

Members of the economy and growth committee will be asked on Tuesday to give officers permission to select and enter into a contract with a provider to deliver the works for the revamp.

Much of the money – more than £1.5m – will come from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Works under consideration include accessible stalls with shutters; communal seating space with screening; re-positioned stalls to increase visibility; new or repaired floor; greater number of stalls with facilities for food preparation and improvements to the Churchill Way entrance and the entrance from the Grosvenor Centre.

Macclesfield Indoor Market (Image: Cheshire East Council)

A report due to go to Tuesday’s committee, states these are ideas being explored and stresses not all items currently under consideration may be deliverable within the budget.

The report says: “The market building was constructed circa the 1970s and has not had significant investment for many years…

“Today, the market space is dated and the design of the market space and its stalls present daily challenges for stallholders and customers.”

It adds: “Given the current condition of the market, it is not surprising that the council has struggled to achieve full occupancy over several years.

“Whilst the visual impact of vacancies is reduced by allowing traders to utilise unoccupied space at no extra charge, or by letting space free of charge to charities, 13 of the 50 stalls are not currently generating an income.”

Because of the existing problems, the market is currently operating at a loss.

The report to committee states there is an extremely tight timetable for delivery of all UKSPF funded projects.

Current rules require the spend of all UKSPF allocations by the end of March 2025.

The economy and growth committee meeting takes place at 2pm on Tuesday, March 12, at the council’s Westfields HQ in Sandbach.