Clowes Developments have recently completed the construction of a brand-new retail park in Crewe which will see high street names such as Lidl, B&M and Costa Coffee operating from the site within the next few months. Councillor Dorothy Flude played a major part in ensuring the delivery of this scheme which was backed by her constituents.
Marc Freeman, Director at Clowes Developments has been working with Councillor Flude’s family to arrange a formal ceremony to name the new retail park “Dorothy Flude Retail Park”. A ceremony took place on Wednesday 19th May to unveil the slate plaque which has been embedded into the low-level boundary wall located at the entrance of the retail park in memory of Councillor Flude.
Councillor Flude was instrumental in many aspects of the project following a public consultation where her constituents were in full support of the development. As a result, she rallied the support of her colleagues to seek a green light to develop the site. Councillor Flude also made sure that the railway heritage of the site was honoured in the design of the new development by ensuring that bricks from the Victorian rail sheds, which formerly occupied the site, were re-used in the development. Her eye for detail was also a key factor in the design of the units which echoes the iconic shape of railway arches in a nod to the towns rich rail history. This is something that Councillor Flude was passionate about during her career. She devoted much of her life to the local community, namely as Mayor of Cheshire East in 2013 and Chair of the Crewe Heritage Trust supporting the Heritage Centre to work towards obtaining Museum status.
Additionally, Councillor Flude was a Councillor on Cheshire County Council, an elected member of Cheshire East Council representing the Crewe South Ward, served on the Crewe Charter Trustees, a Governor at both Westminster Street Nursery and Pebble Brook Primary Schools, the Portfolio Holder for Children and Families and a member of the Cheshire Fire Authority. In May 2019, Dorothy also became a member of Crewe Town Council representing the Crewe St. Barnabas Ward. “In essence Dorothy was Crewe through and through and she will be sorely missed by many.”
Marc Freeman, Director at Clowes Developments commented, “Councillor Dorothy Flude was a remarkable woman who cared deeply about her community and strived for more for her town. Councillor Flude played a very important role in this development, so it feels right that we name the retail park in her memory. We would like to thank the Flude family for their support with this and we are delighted to share the memorial plaque unveiling ceremony with them here today.”
Councillor Dorothy Flude’s Son, Michael, commented further, “We are so proud of the legacy our beloved Mother and Grandmother left in this town. She had a positive influence on so many lives. We think the retail park named in her memory is a fitting tribute and one which will keep her name, literally, embedded in the town’s history for years to come.”
Karl Parker, Managing Director at Pioneer Design & Build Ltd added, “Being a locally based company – Pioneer have been proud to be involved in a scheme of this quality. The addition of highly regarded convenience led retailers has undeniably contributed to the ongoing regeneration of this area in Crewe.”
The low-key ceremony took place on Wednesday 19th May with only members of the Flude family and the developers of the site in attendance due to COVID restrictions. The construction of the retail park is complete with occupiers B&M, Lidl and Costa Coffee completing their fit-out programmes in readiness to open in the summer.
