Macclesfield Town Centre Recovery Working Group
Minutes of the meeting to be held on 2nd October 2020 2pm to 4pm
Present:
Emma Anderson Macclesfield Museums
Matthew Baqueriza-Jackson (Co – Chair) Make it Macclesfield
Cllr Liz Brathwaite Cheshire East Council
Cllr Janet Jackson MBE (Co-Chair) Macclesfield Town Council (Chair)
Cllr Nick Mannion Cheshire East Council
Cllr Fiona Wilson Macclesfield Town Council
Laura Smith Macclesfield Town Council
Jo Wise Cheshire East Council
Apologies
Michael Jones Local Retailer (PR Jones Jewellers)
Justine Gore Peaks and Plains Housing Trust
1. Welcome from Co/Chairs
The Co-chairs welcomed the group and minutes of last meeting were agreed.
2.Initial Objectives
The group discussed the draft objectives presented by MBJ.
Additions were agreed around:
- Public realm and environment e.g. promoting green spaces
- Communication e.g. public health messages
MBJ will update
3. Update to the Baseline Information
- Footfall data is now on MTC website in an accessible format
- CEC footfall data was shared with the group, however, is not on CEC as they seek to make it accessible.
- It was noted footfall in the town centre had been increasing until last week (week beginning Sep 21st, 2020) coinciding with a change in Govt guidelines and an increase in restrictions.
Update on vacant properties and what businesses are open in Macclesfield.
This is still in progress but near completion. Thank you to Cllr Edwardes for his invaluable contribution to this task.
Collation and analysis of work in public realm and keeping the town safe and clean.
Cllr Mannion updated that the collection of examples of work that has been done and is planned to keep the town clean and an attractive place to visit, continues. It also fed into the initial objectives discussion.
Update on progression of Surveys and any initial feedback.
- Cllr Brathwaite has hand delivered around 200 surveys to local businesses.
- CEC and MTC have the links to both surveys on their respective websites
- Working Group members have circulated both residents survey and business survey far and wide, engaging many other organisations to gather evidence, and will continue to do promote.
- Engagement in the survey has been positive.