Snapshot - what your councillors have been up to
working for Gatley, Cheadle, Cheadle Hulme & Heald Green Learn more
by Lib Dem team on 25 January, 2025
In response to growing concerns about the state of Cheadle village, Councillor Ian Hunter has launched a new task force to tackle the challenges facing the high street and create a clear vision for its future. The group, which held its first meeting this week, brings together local experts in architecture, property management, place-making, and district centre development.
Councillor Hunter convened the task force following feedback from residents worried about the changing face of the village centre.Residents have expressed disappointment at the growing number of poorly presented businesses, including barbers, vape shops, and fast-food outlets, alongside the decline of independent staples like the fishmonger and grocer. They also highlighted neglected buildings and garish signage as key issues eroding the area’s charm.
At the inaugural meeting, the task force discussed the need for a strategic approach to revitalising the high street. The group explored the challenges posed by changing shopping habits, the dominance of large retailers, and the rise of online commerce, while recognising the importance of preserving the village’s heritage and identity.
“It’s clear that Cheadle needs a fresh approach,” said Councillor Hunter. “We can’t turn back the clock to a traditional high street, but we can create a vibrant, welcoming destination that serves the needs of today’s community. This task force is about bringing together the right people to make that happen.”
The task force also reviewed pressing issues raised by residents, including the neglected state of key buildings and the lack of coordination among landlords. Plans were discussed to set higher standards for shopfronts and signage while exploring ways to enhance the look and feel of the high street.
While acknowledging the constraints posed by funding cuts and planning regulations, Councillor Hunter highlighted recent successes such as the Spring Festival and the art in the park and Markers Market as examples of how community-led initiatives can drive positive change. The group also considered ideas for future projects, including regular food and drink festivals and widening pavements to improve pedestrian access.
“The launch of this task force is just the beginning,” Councillor Hunter said. “We need a joined-up approach that involves residents, businesses, and landlords to bring out the best in Cheadle. This village has so much potential, and I’m confident that by working together, we can create a high street we can all be proud of.”
The task force plans to meet regularly and will encourage input from local residents and stakeholders as part of its commitment to transparency and community collaboration. With the forthcoming railway station and Cheadle’s strong community spirit, Councillor Hunter believes the village is well-positioned for a bright future.
11 Comments
One thing I would like to be considered is the fact the pavements are narrow on parts of high street.
The growing number of shop signs that are placed on the pavement and cause the pavement to be even narrower is a hindrance IMHO.
Are there rules that cover this?
I appreciate that shops want to advertise but this is becoming an issue.
Absolutely, it is true that Cheadle Village was laid out in a time which did not allow for modern living, so we have narrow pavements in some places.
My understanding is the narrow areas are the original pavements, the rather more spaces areas are often where properties sacrificed their ‘front gardens’ to allow access as shops etc. May be some historian on here could confirm this hypothesis.
In terms of the standing signs and ‘A’ boards, the council can require these to be removed where they cause an obstruction. Anyone, please let me have examples on cllr.graham.greenhalgh@stockport.gov.uk, I will report these to council officers for their consideration.
Equally, any other suggestions for improvements gratefully received.
Please save Heald Green. The shop owners closer to the railway station don’t care about the Aethtics of the village. Signage looks like Blackpool lights and shop fronts are cheap amd tacky.
It’s the 21st Century and it looks like a run down inner city joint.
Sadly Cheadle has become a ghost town during the day. The demise of all the banks coupled with a ridiculous number of non retail shops has caused this.
Also, for some reason, Cheadle has become gridlocked with traffic on a daily basis
Unfortunately, while we as a society continue to pander to motorists, our high streets will decline and be replaced by out of town shopping centres.
Does anyone really enjoy the noise, smell and danger of traffic next to them? Personally I avoid Gatley and Cheadle village centres unless I must go there and favour places like Wilmslow (accessible by train from Gatley) and Chester which have pleasant pedestrianised areas on the odd occasion I want to go and browse shops.
In fairness, while Cheadle is a District Centre within Stockport Metropolitan Borough. Chester is a City and County Town of a County of England.
For shopping I can recommend Milan, especially around the Cathedral, Duomo di Milano. The piazza Duomo and the Passagio di Duomo have a fabulous array of shops, Unfortunately, the only thing I could afford was a MacDonalds in the Passagio.
I agree with Phil, congestion caused by the narrowing from two lanes down to one at the Wilmslow Road and High Street junction is gridlocking the High Street. Cars are continually blocking the junction by stopping in the box junction while others illegally turn right at the bottom of Massey street. Will you please make sorting out this junction a ‘deliverable’ for your committee.
I would like to commend Cllr.Hunter for organising the Cheadle Task Force. I was involved with trying to enthuse people to join this just prior to Christmas 2024 and couldn’t find anyone interested. so very well done. I am particularly interested as the Task Force includes what I would consider experts in this kind of planning.
I like Cheadle, and I strongly believe the first priority is to start with constructive suggestions rather than denigrating it’s reputation.
For example, a suggestion on how we stop banks closing would be welcome, in my time we have fought against 4 bank closures all the way up to parliamentary level but that did not stop one closure, it is the same for most towns and villages. What have we missed?
Due to confirmed and regularly measured footfall numbers, Cheadle Village is classified as one of only eight ‘District Centres’ in Stockport. Which is one reason it receives special attention and extra funding. More details at https://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=75584
or better still the Cheadle District Centre specific report at: https://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/documents/s211735/Cheadle%20District%20Centre%20IPM%20Report.pdf
We really do not deserve to loose this special status by having footfall drop below the designated threshold. All power to the Cheadle Task Force.
The gridlock in Cheadle has been famous since the 60’s when it was referred to as the ‘Cheadle Crawl’. We might of expect the motorway between Kingsway and Roscoe’s roundabout to relieve the traffic but clearly not. Any ideas gratefully received.
We have considered trying to establish an indoor market, a farmers market and pop up shops. Like all great ideas this needs funds, so sadly still working on these possibilities.
If parking was free like in Didsbury. Maybe Cheadle would get more people shopping and encourage other businesses to open up. Instead all we have is takeaways which open for a few weeks then close. Perhaps look at the likes of Didsbury and Gheadle Heath which always is busy and has plenty of footwear on there streets
Is not the council to blame for the overload of food outlets and other non-retail businesses on the high street. Why did they grant planning permission for change of use willy-nilly. If permission had been refused maybe the letting agents would have made more effort to find potential retail tenants. And maybe this would have had the effect of making the rents more realistic. And maybe we would not have lost our fish shop.
We can’t turn the clock back now and I don’t see how trying to improve the visual appearance of the high street will bring back shoppers if there are no shops there to shop at.
Thank you Councillors and all people of Cheadle who are concerned enough to bother about the state of the Cheadle High St.
It used to be that people moaned about all the charity shops taking over but now that recycling is the thing, ironically, they have more to pay out in expenses.
I don’t know who the present owners of many of the empty shops/takeaways are but if the Council bought some of them up, they could be become shared rented spaces for start ups or even living spaces. Anyway, please no more fly by night takeaways and the like and certainly no plastic balloon advertising.
The car park in Cheadle always seems to be fairly busy and I don’t think there is a far lack of parking spaces in Didsbury.