Plans for market to be 'catalyst for regeneration'

Bosses hope their plans for Cheadle Market will help the town thrive

Redevelopment of a town's market could be a "catalyst" to help regenerate the rest of the town centre, according to council bosses.

Cheadle Market was taken over by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council last year, but the authority's leaders said its main buildings needed investment due to having no heating, poor ventilation, a lack of decent toilets and not meeting modern market standards.

They have now set about creating plans to develop both the indoor and outdoor markets in the town.

This will include a focus on food and beverage stalls, produce stalls and indoor seating as well as an arcade area to reflect its original design.

Officers from the authority's regeneration team worked with Cheadle Town Council on the proposals, they said.

They added the new market would be designed to complement the town's heritage and fit in with its conservation area.

'Destination venue'

Bosses said surveys of local businesses and residents had revealed "overwhelming support" for keeping a market along with calls for more artisan and craft produce, opportunities for an event space, improvements to its appearance and extended operating hours into the evenings.

"The new market will be a catalyst to regenerate Cheadle town centre and encourage new businesses to set up," said the council's deputy leader, Darren Price.

"We also hope this will eventually become a destination in its own right, just as Leek's re-developed market halls have successfully become after opening last winter."

Since acquiring the market, the council had repaired existing outdoor stalls, installed bollards to secure the market square and introduced a stall booking system.

Bosses said detailed designs and a budget would now be prepared ahead of the redevelopment, with further updates provided in the coming months.