Cheshire Independent Issue 204

MACCLESFIELD • TYTHERINGTON • BOLLINGTON ALDERLEY EDGE • PRESTBURY • WILMSLOW • HANDFORTH • POYNTON • BRAMHALL • DISLEY • ALSAGER • BIDDULPH • CONGLETON • SANDBACH ISSUE 204 FREE CHESHIRE FREE YOUR LOCAL GOOD NEWS-PAPER FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @CheshireIndy www.independentnewspapers.co.uk Looking for Flooring Inspiration? Let us help you find the perfect flooring for your home. With great advice, home styling, measure and planning service, plus quality fitting of top brands and designs, youwill be glad you did . Visit our showroom: Tuesday to Saturday or call 01260 224445 for a private appointment Thornycroft Farm, Pexhill Road, Siddington, Cheshire SK11 9JN ● Modern, Traditional & Luxury Carpets ● Natural Wood Flooring ● Laminate Flooring ● Stair Runners & Rods ● Luxury Vinyl Tiles ● Bespoke Rugs & Runners ● Continued on page two SCANME LYNX SUPPORT www.lynxtaxis.com/connect A WINNING BID Initiative could be a ‘game-changer’ MACCLESFIELD has moved closer to the creation of a Business Improvement District (BID) that has been described as a potential ‘game-changer’ for its town centre. The town council has granted funding to the Mac- clesfield Means Business group to carry out a feasibil- ity study into the idea. A BID is a defined area where local businesses agree to pay an additional levy to fund projects that improve the location, such as market- ing, cleaning or safety. The feasibility study will be the first step in Macclesfield BID process. It will explore whether there is enough sup- port among local businesses, what the priorities are, and how much funding could be raised. Macclesfield MP Tim Roca has welcomed the idea. He said: “I’m supportive of a BID which could be a game-changer for Maccles- field, building on the great work of the town council, “It’s an ambitious approach that has worked in other towns and cities and there’s no reason why Macclesfield shouldn’t be leading the way here in Cheshire. “There’s real momentum building behind our shared vision for a vibrant and thriving town centre. This is an important step on that journey.” Mac clesf ield Means Business will work with spe- cialist consultants Mosaic to carry out the initial study and engage with local businesses. A town council spokes- person said: “The council has made it clear that if there is support for the pro- cess to continue beyond the feasibility stage, the BID would not duplicate existing town council services, but instead deliver additional empowering local businesses to lead investment in the town centre, increase footfall, and breathe new life into our high streets. improvements based on what local businesses identify as most important.” BIDs vary in size and shape and respon- sibility and have played a major role in revitalising town and city centres in other parts of the country. Altrincham’s BID been widely successful: it won the national Sustainability Award at the House of Lords in March 2024 for leading local green initiatives and helped secure Purple Flag status for the town’s night time economy in 2023, cit- ing BID-led safety, transport, and cleanliness efforts. Support plan: Macclesfield could get a BID (Photo credit: Macclesfield Town Council)