THE PEOPLE of Macclesfield want their town centre rejuvenated WITHOUT the backing of a giant supermarket.

And that is one of the reasons they chose Wilson Bowden - the only developers not hooked up to a retail empire - to recreate the heart of the community.

The Leicester-based company - who boast "retail diversity" - has been selected by council officials, councillors and most importantly YOU the residents of the town.

Over 2,500 Maxonians filed through the town hall to view the proposals from the four developers vying for the prize of revitalising Macclesfield and 300 residents made their opinions heard by filling in the council's questionnaire.

And these views did not go unheard as the majority of contributions stated that they wanted open spaces, a cinema and affordable housing and Wilson Bowden was the company preferred by the populous.

This sentiment was echoed by the town hall as a cabinet meeting elected the developers as the people to take charge of the £200m rejuvenation of the town.

Just pipping rival HBG to the post, Wilson Bowden was the only developer not to include a huge supermarket in their scheme which Maxonians said they didn't want to see.

Although, the triumphant developer does have plans to put in a small Waitrose at the Arighi Bianchi site.

Tesco, who were the bookies' favourite up until the eleventh hour last week ended up in fourth place with Asda, represented by Cathco, coming third and and by popular local bid HBG narrowly finishing second.

Wilson Bowden's initial plans are:

  • A 600 space multi-storey car park west of Churchill Way with new Inland Revenue offices on the same road.
  • A residential development facing Water Street and a new Senior Citizens Hall/Arts Centre.
  • TJ Hughes will be relocated into the Cheshire Building Society Offices on the junction of Castle Street and Churchill Way.
  • A new retail mall linking Castle Street with Exchange Street.
  • Market along Roe Street.
  • New retail units at the rear of Mill Street on the existing Duke Street car park with a department store and 600 parking spaces below.
  • A 54 bed hotel fronting Churchill Way
  • Food store located between Samuel Street and Park Lane with 200 car parking spaces below.
  • Cinema, family bars and restaurants at the junction of Park Lane and Samuel Street.
  • New public square adjacent to the Heritage Centre.

Although Wilson Bowden are not officially linked to any companies many big names are expected to flock to the town.

The players being mooted are Debenhams, Zara and Mango - two huge European high-street retailers - and exciting restaurants The Living Room, Pizza Hut and TGI Fridays.

Simon Russian, development director for Wilson Bowden, said: "We are delighted to be selected. We are aiming for variety and diversity and it is well known that Debenhams wish to come to the town. Our bid is not about food stores but retail diversity."