Clarke Nicklin Partner appointed Chair of Cheadle Towns Fund Board

Clarke Nicklin Chartered Accountants Partner, Brian Bradley, has recently been appointed as the Chair of Cheadle Towns Fund Board.

As an independent chair from a private sector business, Brian (pictured) will be crucial in leading the Cheadle Towns Fund Board in achieving its objectives, maintaining an overview of activity, and championing and supporting partnership working.

The Board’s membership reflects the diversity of Cheadle and comprises representation from private sector, local business, community and voluntary groups, Cheadle MP and Councillors, Local Enterprise Partnership and local government officials.

In November 2019, the government formally launched a £3.6 billion Towns Fund as part of a wider strategy to rebalance the national economy.  The objectives of the fund are to invest in economic growth, regeneration, improved transport, digital connectivity and skills.   

After two and half years of hard work, the Cheadle Towns Fund Board secured £13.9m of the Governments Towns Fund for three transformational projects in Cheadle:

• A new rail station which will connect Cheadle to the wider public transport network.  Accessibility to Stockport and beyond will be transformational and improve travel options for residents and local employers as well as easing local traffic congestion.  Extensive consultation with local business, residents and other stakeholders fully supported this project to improve Cheadle’s transport links.

• Strategic north-south cycling and walking route that will link Cheadle to its High Street and the proposed station.  This will improve infrastructure to deliver travel options which promotes health related benefits allied to further reduction in local traffic congestion.

• The development of a new Cheadle Eco Business Park on Bird Hall Lane.  This will provide new opportunities for businesses and job growth housed in modern, high quality industrial units using state of the art eco technology to minimise its carbon footprint and to generate local energy.  The objective is to deliver a Net Zero 110,000 sq ft scheme where clean energy generation and sustainability is a core focus.

Brian Bradley will bring to the Towns Fund Board extensive experience in voluntary roles as GM Chamber of Commerce President for Stockport, Member of Stockport Economic Alliance, Governor at Stockport College, Trustee at NK Theatre Arts and co-founder of Gander Careers which linked the world of education with business. He commented:

“I am delighted to take on the role of Chair and help continue the fantastic efforts of the Board who have facilitated this significant investment into Cheadle.  It is vitally important we deliver the three key projects in order to stimulate economic, environmental and health benefits for businesses and residents alike.

“A key focus will be to maintain the momentum which has already been gained and implement the projects with drive and pace.  As a Board we will work collaboratively with all partners to deliver the infrastructure and transformational projects Cheadle deserves.  We have an ambitious vision for Cheadle and in these challenging times it is important we deliver something positive which we can all be proud of.”