Crewe guidebook

Millions of pounds are being pumped into Crewe in one of the most exciting periods in this relatively young town's history.

At the core is a £100 million town centre redevelopment, set to include a department store, 25 shops, a multi-storey car park, offices, a new bus station and lots of new homes.

But that's not the only ambitious project in store.  Vast swathes of the town centre are to be rebuilt and a new street created.

Landmark buildings Delamere House and Wellington House are earmarked for demolition in a project that will see the town's skyline changed forever.

There are also plans for a revamped train station, a renovated town park, an expanded university campus and hundreds of new homes.

In fact, it's probably a good idea to visit Crewe now, or you won't appreciate the difference when all this work is completed in a few years' time.

Room for Improvement

Wandering around Crewe's shopping area at the moment, you are immediately struck by how many high street chains there are, and the indoor and outdoor markets, open most days, are worth a look if you're hunting for a bargain or something a bit different.

Yet, despite being a veritable who's who of national retailers, Crewe town centre has a tired feel - well, let's face it, why would a £100 million project be on the cards if it didn't?

It has a more workaday feel than its affluent neighbour Nantwich but the town is surrounded by moneyed enclaves like Weston and Wychwood Park, so the market is already out there for its post-facelift renaissance.

Crewe's imminent transformation into the trendy capital of south Cheshire goes hand in hand with Manchester Metropolitan University's creation of a shiny new campus here.

A £70 million investment has included new student residences, which opened in 2005, and a final campus construction phase set for completion in 2011.

The number of students based in Crewe is being doubled from 3,000 to 6,000 and the number of university staff from 500 to 1,000, so local property is likely to have added allure for buy-to-let investors as a result.

There's also has an increasingly diverse ethnic minority population in Crewe, including one of the largest concentrations of Poles in the country.

There's now a Polish workingmen's club on West Street, a Polish delicatessen, and when local road signs were translated into Polish, it hit the national headlines.

And Crewe attracts big businesses because of its central location and good transport links; the new 67-acre Crewe Business Park is the first eco-based development of its type.

Property in Crewe

According to the 2001 census, around 22 per cent of all properties in Crewe are detached with nearly 45 per cent semi-detached.

Almost 26 per cent are terraced and more than seven per cent are flats, and nearly 69 per cent of property is owner-occupied.

Here is a brief run through the property market in Crewe:

Town centre: Traditionally homes near the town centre have tended to be smaller two or three bedroom terraced properties.

Unlike the rural areas surrounding the town, property prices here are lower than the national average.

The condition of properties varies considerably and there are still bargains to be found. Redevelopment in the centre means this could be an up and coming area.

Unsurprisingly, then, estate agents report that terraces here are popular with buy-to-let investors keen to rent out to the growing student population.

Apartments are expected to be incorporated above retail units in the redeveloped town centre, and the excellent rail links and increased vibrancy will make these properties appeal to young commuters.

Delamere Street: This development of 90 apartments on the site of a former Kwik Save supermarket, near the centre of Crewe, has proved popular with young professionals and downsizers.

Lockitt Street and Mill Street: Planning permission has been approved for a major development of 150 homes on land bordering the railway lines.

The site is set to include shops and offices as well as homes. Thirty-five per cent of the properties will be affordable, attracting first-time buyers and investors.

Dunwoody Way: This development of 215 homes on former railway land is aimed at first-timers, families and young professionals. It includes apartments and three-storey properties.

Suburbs: Moving out of the immediate town centre, semi-detached properties are more prevalent than terraces.

Attractive to families, properties here are more likely to appeal to owner-occupiers than buy-to-let investors. Homes are generally still more affordable than in the surrounding rural areas.

Weston: This picturesque village is just three miles from Crewe, but has a completely different feel: it's rural, aspirational and often expensive.

There are homes with character aplenty here and a good village pub.

Wychwood Park: This is one of the most sought-after addresses in South Cheshire, having a PGA tour-standard golf course, De Vere hotel and a 34 acre country park on site.

Properties are mainly large, very well appointed and thoroughly desirable.

Wistaston: Another highly sought-after district is this village just two miles outside Crewe.

It has won award after award for floral displays, civic pride and being a 'best kept' village.

Living Here

Transport

Trains: Crewe Railway Station is on the main line and a multi-million-pound redevelopment of the station building and its car park is planned.

Buses: A new bus station is on the cards as part of changes to Crewe town centre. Frequent services link with neighbouring towns and rural areas.

Road: Junction 16 of the M6 can be reached within minutes. The A51 and A500 also provide good connections.

Air: Manchester Airport is a 35 minute drive away.

Shopping:

Most of the big high street names are present in Crewe centre, but the redevelopment will bring better choice and quality.

The indoor market is open from Monday to Saturday and the outdoor market runs on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Bargain hunters take note: there is a car boot and second hand market every Wednesday morning.

Eating and drinking:

Crewe has many traditional pubs, value for money cafes and bakeries.

The growing student population means a wide selection of takeaways and the selection of restaurants is likely to increase over the next few years.

If you're looking to try something a little different, the town boasts a Polish deli.

Sports and leisure:

Crewe Alexandra Football Club is based at Gresty Road.

Coppenhall Leisure Centre, Coronation Street, has a sports hall, drama hall and social area.

Crewe Swimming Pool is in Flag Lane.

Victoria Community Centre in West Street has a fitness suite, sports hall and all-weather football pitch.

There are three golf courses - Queen's Park, at Queen's Park Drive, Crewe Golf Course, at Fields Road in Haslington, and Wychwood Park.

Entertainment:

The Lyceum Theatre, Heath Street, is a Grade II-listed building.  It stages a wide range of productions including ballet, opera, drama, comedy, concerts and an annual pantomime.

The Reel Cinema in Dunwoody Way is an independent cinema.

The Railway Age Museum, Vernon Way, is one of the town's leading tourist attractions where you can see model and miniature railways as well as visiting mainline steam locomotives.

The Limelight Club, Hightown, is renowned as one of the top live music venues in the region.

  pic: Queens Park
Parks and open spaces:

Queen's Park in Pyms Lane is one of the finest Victorian parks in England; like so much of the rest of the town it is receiving a multi-million-pound facelift.