The town having its 'heart ripped out' as shops keep closing down
28.08.2022 - 14:43
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Traders fear that high business rates and the opening of a new retail park will 'rip the heart out' of a Cheshire town.
Vacant units are becoming a common sight in Macclesfield town centre on roads that used to be prime shopping locations like Mill Street and at the Grosvenor Shopping Centre, Cheshire Live reports. Business owners in the area are urging locals to use the shops or lose them as many premises have shut their doors for the last time this year.
It is thought that many more could follow, with Marks and Spencer soon closing in the centre, to be replaced by an M&S food unit on the new Barracks Mill retail park just off the A523.
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M&S cited a 'change in shopping habits' when announcing the sad news that it will leave the town. And that change in shopping habits, mainly meaning online delivery services which were accelerated during lockdown, is affecting more than just the big high street chains.
CheshireLive spoke to local traders to get their feel for the way the town centre will go in such an uncertain period for the retail sector. Stephen Perrett is from Cheetham And Mortimer Estate Agents in Manchester. He told us the town centre is bound to change, but new retailers will come in.
“My take on it is that Mill Street itself is not that badly affected," he said. "Marks and Spencer is due to close around Christmas time.
"That’s going to leave a big hole in that part of the high street. But it depends on what the new owner’s going to do with it.”
“Carphone Warehouse closed their store in Macclesfield over a year ago, but their lease doesn’t expire for another week. Until that lease expires at the end of August we can’t actually