MIDDLEWICH residents have hit out at the borough council's decision to spend nearly a quarter of a million pounds on transforming a key town centre landmark in the Bull Ring.

As reported in last week's Guardian, Congleton Borough Council, in partnership with English Heritage, the Northwest Regional Development Agency, Middlewich Town Council and Cheshire County Council, is investing more than £236,000 in a project to build a modern day amphitheatre.

Councillors predict the cash boost will benefit businesses in the town and will contribute the regeneration of Middlewich, but some residents have described the ambitious venture as pointless and feel the money would have been better spent on different projects in the town such as facilities for young people.

Middlewich resident Mike Smith says it is a waste of time spending almost £250,000 on revamping one area of town, and feels it is 'pouring money down the drains'.

He said: "And will this amphitheatre be able to provide and cater for everyone in Middlewich's needs? Will it hell."

He added: "Cosmetic changes will not make this town any better, because the 'rot' of poor quality in this town extends right into the core. You need to start with the basics and improve the amenities before you can make it look nice."

Gareth Hughes echoed these opinions, saying: "Maybe it will contribute to the growth of Middlewich town centre, but it seems to cost a heck of a lot of money, money which could have been spent on things I'm sure would have been more beneficial to Middlewich, such as the many local projects."

But town and borough councillor Alison Roylance White has defended the development, explaining that the money has come from grants from Rural Recovery and English Heritage and that work need to be carried out by the end of March to ensure funding.

She said: "This is money allocated for these types of projects which would have gone towards different projects in the country, so I would rather it came to Middlewich.

"Of course there are other elements pressing to that we would like to spend money on, such as the swimming pool.

"But by making the town more attractive it will draw more people to our town, which in turn will kick-start regeneration."

gsproston@guardiangrp.co.uk