The plight of our town centres has long been the focus of attention. We’ve had plans, proposals, suggestions, meetings, consultations but no real progress.
Our only successful commercial ideas to date have come from those bright ladies who created the Treacle Market in Macclesfield and the Artisan Market in Wilmslow.
Wilmslow Motor show was also a huge success thanks to the initiative of local businesses but ideas from our councils are there none – until now.
Aware of the growing popularity of Alderley’s bars and restaurants Alderley Edge Parish Council has a new idea. Now, this takes some thinking outside the box.
These are not measures that would readily spring to mind when endeavouring to stimulate growth but, by God, they are ingenious.
Having spotted the trend for late night dining, parish councillors hope to introduce night-time parking charges and enlist CEC’s wardens to work at night. It is a brilliant piece of lateral thinking which is sure to attract the attention of the tabloid press. I can see the headline now: ‘wine, dine and fine in Alderley Edge’.
Give the parish council their due, who else would come up with such an audacious plan?
While local folks strive to reinvent markets and stage events to help reinvigorate our town centres, the Parish is concentrating on the big picture with a scheme guaranteed to grab national attention.
It’s sheer genius. Professor Stephen Hawking could not have worked this one out.
I thought slapping a license fee on cafes whenever customers sipped an alfresco coffee was good but this is in a different league.
Maybe the parish council could persuade restaurants to put parking fines directly onto customers’ bills to save diners rushing in and out checking for tickets? They could list it just above ‘gratuity’. Mmm, maybe not. In any event I think they are to be congratulated for proposing a plan of such audacity and flair.
