Cheshire East Council submits plans for Crewe’s Lyceum Square

Cheshire East Council has submitted plans to transform Crewe’s Lyceum Square into an exciting events and performance space as part of the town centre’s regeneration.

Crewe Town Board has been allocated £750,000 ‘accelerated funding’ by government via the Towns Fund for an improvement scheme for the Lyceum Square and adjoining areas.

Now, a detailed planning application for the scheme – called Ly2 – has been submitted by the council, which would see the centre of Lyceum Square becoming a mixed-use space to host events, festivals, performances, and activities throughout the year, and include a new events stage with integrated digital screen.

Also included in the plans are proposals to develop part of the outdoor market shed area – that is currently not in use – into a ‘creative centre’, with shipping containers and cabin units providing a base for small emerging businesses and artists to collaborate and exhibit their work. 

Colourful and multi-functional street furniture and improvements to key gateways into the square, including the installation of overhead festoon lighting, floor graphics and a wall mural, are also proposed.

The vision for Ly2 was developed by the Crewe Cultural Forum – a collaboration of more than 100 residents, organisations and businesses in Crewe – and it aims to enhance the setting of the Lyceum Theatre and Crewe Market Hall and create a cultural heart for the town centre. 

The Ly2 project is being delivered by Cheshire East Council and overseen by Crewe Town Board. It is also being supported by Crewe Town Council.

Councillor Nick Mannion, chair of Cheshire East Council’s economy and growth committee, said: “I am pleased that we are moving forward with plans for Lyceum Square and the ambition to create a high-quality space that can be used and enjoyed by local people and businesses, and that will draw in increased footfall to the town centre.

“The Lyceum Theatre and newly-refurbished Crewe Market Hall are already big draws to this area of the town centre. But this investment in Lyceum Square will enhance it further.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest in Crewe’s regeneration to take a look at the plans and to submit their comments on this application.”

As part of the Ly2 project proposals, the current disabled parking bays on Lyceum Square would be relocated towards the edge of the square to fit in with the new vision of the space as an events hub. 

The closure of the car park to enable the delivery of the Ly2 project will also be subject to an additional separate consultation in the future. 

The planning application can be found via our planning portal by searching for planning application 21/4671N.

A drop-in public engagement event will be held from 10am-4pm on Friday, 8 October at Crewe Market Hall where council officers will be available to answer any questions.

The final date for submitting comments on the planning application is 20 October 2021.