Midcheshire Independent Issue 184

OCTOBER 2025 2 No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2025. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate, Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com CONTACT JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US Veer Transport Limited of 17 Pendle Avenue, Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 5HH is applying for a license as follows: To use Storage Station, New Cheshire Business Park, Wincham Lane, Northwich, CW9 6GG as an operating centre for 2 trucks. Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office. 08/10/2025 GOODS VEHICLE OPERATOR’S LICENCE A NEW report sets out a powerful picture of what young people across Cheshire West need to thrive and the barriers that can hold them back. Commissioned by the Cheshire West and Chester Youth Partnership and part funded by the Westminster Foundation, the Youth Needs Assessment was delivered by Youth Focus North West. More than 500 young people, parents, carers, and professionals took part through surveys, focus groups and interviews. The report reveals high demand for safe, welcoming youth spaces and trusted adults. There are also strong calls for better mental health support, life skills, and help preparing for work. Barriers such as cost, transport, and a lack of inclusive or local pro- vision are highlighted along with the need for greater awareness of what’s availa- ble and better communication with young people. Key recommendations from the report include investing in early mental health sup- port and outreach services and developing youth-led spaces designed with and for young people. There is also a recom- mendation to make it easier for young people to travel to activities, especially in rural areas. Amanda Perraton, execu- tive director for children and families at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “This ORGANISERS of the pop- ular Nantwich Hallow- een Spooktacular have announced that the 2025 event will not go ahead. They described it as a “difficult decision” but said the break will allow them to revamp and refresh the event ahead of its return on Saturday October 31 next year. Since its launch in 2009, the Spooktacular has become a much-loved fixture on the local calendar, attracting thousands of families to the Dorfold Showground each autumn. The event features a fair- ground, Halloween fancy dress, competitions, games and entertainment – all rounded off with a spec- tacular firework display by Blitz Fireworks. In a post on social media organisers said: “We have taken the difficult decision to suspend The Nantwich Spooktacular for 2025. “We will be back next year with a new event revamped and refreshed, we would like to thank our hosts, all our sponsors, our hard-working dedicated staff for all their hard work and you the gen- eral public who have sup- ported the event since 2009. “You can still see large scale pyromusical displays A LONG-TERM vision to transform Crewe town centre has been unveiled by Cheshire East Coun- cil – with plans to part- ner with a developer on a housing-led regenera- tion scheme. The aim is to redevelop key council-owned sites in the heart of Crewe town centre, including the undeveloped part of the Royal Arcade site, Chester Street Car Park, and Delamere Street Car Park. The council says the plan could bring more than 300 high-quality new homes, com- mercial space for shops and businesses and better public spaces – helping to attract more people into the town cen- tre and make it a livelier and more attractive place. Manchester-based developer Capital & Centric has been confirmed as the company set to deliver the regeneration vision in partnership with the local authority. Council dep- uty leader Michael Gorman, who also chairs its economy and growth committee, said: “Crewe has faced its fair share of challenges, but we remain ambitious and confident about its future. “Our ambition for Crewe is for it to become the ‘Best Small City’ in Europe by 2050, with the ‘Crewe360 hub’ at the core of this vision – a transformed railway station gateway designed to anchor long-term growth. We have also been delivering a range of transformative regeneration projects for Crewe. “We want to build on the success of recent regeneration projects, move away from sim- ply relying on the struggling retail sector and unlock new opportunities for growth. “While we recognise there are risks, particularly around funding and market condi- tions, we believe the potential rewards for Crewe and the wider borough are too great to ignore.” Nick Mannion, leader of Cheshire East Council, added: “Crewe is one of the sub-re- gion’s key priority areas for growth and we want to create a high-quality town centre that reflects Crewe’s charac- ter and has more town centre living, with the benefits that brings in terms of footfall and sense of community. “We’re excited by the vision, but we’re also realistic. We’ll be working closely with part- ners, stakeholders, and the community to ensure this development reflects Crewe’s needs and aspirations.” While the longer-termplans progress, the council is con- tinuing work to open up the undeveloped part of the Royal Arcade site as a ‘meanwhile space’, as soon as possible, with new seating, lighting, picnic areas and space for events and l Continued frompage one In a joint statement Cheshire East council leader and deputy Nick Mannion and Michael Gorman said: “Cheshire and Warrington is ready to take greater control over the future of our area. “Taking control of key deci- sions locally means we can respond more effectively to the challenges our residents face and take the opportuni- ties that devolution will bring to the area. “Devolution is about unlocking real opportunities for people and places, our towns and rural communities. “With confirmation of over £650m of government fund- ing that will come to Cheshire and Warrington to be spent on local priorities including improving transport links, boosting local services, and supporting business growth over the next 30 years – the potential benefits are enormous. “Our focus remains on open, collaborative working with residents and partners to ensure that the changes we pursue deliver clear and lasting benefits.” Devolution with an elected mayor has seen neighbouring Greater Manchester, with its high-profile mayor Andy Burnham, receive wide- spread powers in areas such as transport. Mayor Burnham has a £13bn, 10-year growth plan and the city-region is getting £1bn of investment a year as a result of its devolution deal. Devolution will unlock £650m Priorities for young people report makes clear what young people want and need, spaces to feel safe, support when they need it, and a real say in decisions that affect them. I’m proud that we’ve taken the time to listen. “With the backing of the Westminster Foundation and our partners, we now have a strong platform to improve services and do more for young people right across the borough.” Sarah Lanchin, deputy chief executive at Youth Focus North West, added: “Young people were at the heart of this process not just as par- ticipants, but as co-creators. “Their honesty, creativity and insight have shaped a report that reflects their lived experience. We are grateful to every young person, par- ent, carer, and youth worker who contributed, and we look forward to seeing their ideas turned into action.” Town transformation plan revealed Ambitious: Nick Mannion and Michael Gorman activities to take place all in the pipeline. Subject to planning permis- sion, the council expects to be able to open the site back up by spring next year. Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital & Centric, Tim Heat- ley, said: “Cheshire East has big ambitions, and we can’t wait to get going on creating a community that lasts, homes with character, spaces for inde- pendent businesses to thrive, and public areas where people want to gather.” Capital & Centric is plan- ning a public consultation in the coming weeks on proposals for the three town centre sites. Spooktacular takes a break provided by Blitz Fireworks locally throughout the upcoming season. “We will be at The Queens Park in Crewe on November 5 for their annual bonfire and firework display hosted by The Crewe Lions Club where all profits go back in to the local community. “Once again thank you for all your support over the years it really does mean the world to the whole team and we look forward to welcom- ing you back to a brand-new event on Saturday October 31, 2026.” Flashback: Last year’s Nantwich Halloween Spooktacular (Photo credit: Jonathan White)