Green Light for Crewe’s Next Big Regeneration Move

Crewe is about to take a massive step forward in its transformation, with plans to bring hundreds of homes, new spaces for businesses, and buzzing public places right in the heart of the town.

Cheshire East Council has indicated its intent for the housing-led regeneration of key council-owned sites in Crewe town centre, with the expectation that it will work with social impact developers Capital&Centric to develop detailed proposals.

The scheme could see over 300 high-quality homes, active ground-floor spaces for cafés, shops, and businesses, plus vibrant new public spaces. Together, these moves will attract more people into the town centre, boost footfall, and create a place that feels alive day and night.

Breathing new life into Crewe

Capital&Centric’s emerging plans focus on several central locations – the undeveloped part of the Royal Arcade site, Chester Street Car Park, and Delamere Street Car Park. All would be repurposed to create a neighbourhood that blends Crewe’s heritage with a forward-looking, contemporary identity.

It’s part of a bigger vision. By 2050, Cheshire East wants Crewe to be the “Best Small City in Europe,” with the Crewe360 hub – a completely reimagined gateway around the railway station – anchoring that ambition. This next stage of town centre regeneration will be a major piece of that puzzle, complementing landmark investments already underway at Leighton Hospital, the new Cheshire Archives Crewe centre, Lyceum Square’s Ly2 event space, and The Dome Youth Zone.

More than retail

The town centre has already seen change. The successful Market Hall, Lifestyle Centre, and new bus station and multi-storey car park have set the tone for Crewe’s reinvention. But the next step is aimed at moving beyond a reliance on traditional retail. By creating town centre living, social hangouts, and flexible workspaces, the scheme will deliver a community where people live, spend, and enjoy.

Partnership approach

Capital&Centric, known for taking on challenging brownfield sites and transforming them into design-led communities, is set to work with the council to shape the early stages. Their focus is on creating a phased development that will deliver a range of homes, alongside ground-floor uses such as cafés, restaurants, shops, or creative workspaces.

Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital&Centric, said:

“Crewe has all the ingredients to be a brilliant place to live, work, and spend time, but like so many towns, it needs bold moves to get it there. Cheshire East have big ambitions, and we can’t wait to get going on creating a community that lasts - homes with character, spaces for independent businesses to thrive, and public areas where people want to gather. We’re buzzing to be moving to the next stage and working alongside the council and local people to make it happen.”

Councillor Michael Gorman, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council and chair of the economy and growth committee, said:

“Crewe has faced its fair share of challenges, but we remain ambitious and confident about its future. This decision marks the beginning of the next phase in regenerating the town centre – laying the foundations to create a place that truly works for residents and businesses. Our vision is for Crewe to become the ‘Best Small City’ in Europe by 2050, and projects like this are the stepping stones to get us there.”

Councillor Nick Mannion, leader of Cheshire East Council, added:

“Crewe is one of the sub-region’s key priority areas for growth and we want to create a high-quality town centre that reflects Crewe’s character and community spirit. More town centre living will bring vibrancy and a real sense of place, supporting local businesses and creating momentum for future investment. This is a vision rooted in Crewe’s identity but ambitious about its future.”

Looking ahead

While those longer-term plans progress, Cheshire East will also activate meanwhile uses for the undeveloped Royal Arcade site – with seating, lighting, picnic areas, and flexible activity space opening to the public in spring 2026.The aim is clear: a Crewe town centre that feels welcoming, walkable, and full of life, where living, working, and socialising collide.