UPDATE: |’We need to figure out what we want this place to be – and make people proud’ News

‘If we’re going to run evening events with live entertainment, is it going to be a destination we’re looking at for the evening economy?’

A new vision for the future of Cheadle’s district centre is being worked up. Support for creating a new ‘action plan’ for the village was given by councillors during a meeting this week, subject to final approval from the council’s cabinet member for finance.

The plan includes looking at footfall and the number of empty shops around the High Street area. It also includes speaking to shoppers and businesses as part of a ‘high street health check’.

Bosses say the work will focus on ‘creating pride’ in the area; supporting people living and working nearby; and boosting the local economy.

The scheme was discussed at the Cheadle Area Committee meeting this week. A council officer said the work would help shape ‘what Cheadle wants to be’, including what residents want to see on the high street.

Funding of £5,000 has been earmarked to create the action plan. “This funding is for the development of the plan as we are going along in terms of engaging with landlords, in terms of looking at what we’ve got in Cheadle,” the council officer said.

“I come back to it, what is Cheadle? If we’re going to run evening events with live entertainment, is it going to be a destination we’re looking at for the evening economy?”

A report on the plans stated that a number of schemes have already been delivered to ‘drive footfall and enhance Cheadle district centre as a place to visit and shop’.

One of the other major changes coming to the area is the opening of a new train station, which will offer connections to Stockport town centre and Manchester city centre when it opens.

It was due to be ready by the end of 2025, but recently there were concerns about whether the timescale could be pushed back due to timetable adjustments on the Mid Cheshire line, which Cheadle’s new station will join when ready.