26 The Chronicle, Thursday, 19th November, 2009. www.chronicleseries.co.uk

Councillors won’t gamble on gaming centre licence

Businesses in spotlight at a networking meeting

have rather garish signs. Do we want to have one next to a listed building of the King’s Arms one side and a listed building in the Town Hall on the other?

By Chris Young An adult gaming centre on Congleton’s High Street could spoil the image of the town, councillors and traders fear.

Highline Amusements want to open the premises for over 18s at the former site of 8th Planet Beauty.

“I have a great dislike for empty premises, but we would expect any business there to refl ect the area it is in. If the designs are appropriate then the plans could be passed. Will the fi nished premises fi t in with the surrounding conservation area?”

Cheshire East Council assured that no one under the age of 18 would be allowed into the premises, but councillors doubted how effectively this could be policed.

They decided that the representation they would give to the unitary authority, which will ultimately decide on the licence application, would read: “We think this is an inappropriate use of premises in an area we are trying to re-develop.”

Congleton Town Council discussed the application at a meeting of the Planning Committee on Thursday, with many in attendance concerned it would harm the area more than add to it.

And there were mixed feelings about the plans at a meeting of Congleton traders on Tuesday.

So far Highline have only submitted a licensing application, with actual designs to follow if the licence was granted.

Coun Denis Murphy worried that the centre would be located in a historically signifi cant part of Congleton. He said: “An awful lot of these adult gaming centres

Other councillors also expressed concerns. Coun Sally Ann Holland said: “There are enough vulnerable people around in Congleton. Visiting a gambling centre would not be a wise choice of recreational activity for them. It will lure people to spend their money irresponsibly.

“Congleton is not the type of town for this kind of establishment.”

The adult gaming centre would be located next to the historic King’s Arms pub. (“Chronicle” photo. 4734a/09). (“Chronicle” photo. 04734b/09).

Coun Nigel Bayley feared the location, opposite two takeaways, could lead to traffi c problems. He said: “If there are cars stopped there and outside the takeaways it could cause a bit of a traffi c hazard.”

Highline’s application to

At Tuesday’s meeting of Congleton Business Association, many traders raised similar concerns to the council, saying a premises between two listed buildings was not ideal for a gambling centre. Others said that it was not the type of business that vulnerable people in the town should be encouraged to spend their money at.

However some said the town would benefi t from a currently empty building being fi lled, and the central location would make it easy for police to supervise.

Cheshire East will decide whether to grant the application in the coming weeks.

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From left, Phil Baker of Bakers Coaches; Bernard Rooney from BMW Blue Bell; Mr Watson, Declan Slattery of HM Revenue; Mr Searle and Hugh Maxfi eld and Adrian Pozniak of Prepaid Envelopes. (“Chronicle” photo. 4501a/09).

With the new BMW which Bluebell brought to display at the meeting are, from left, Mr Rooney, Lee Riley of Auto Legal Protection; Craig Jones and Mark Gough of Jones Gough and Mr Watson. (“Chronicle” photo. 4501b/09).

The latest venue for the everpopular East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce network event was The Riverside offices on Mountbatten Way, Congleton.

More than 70 businesses attended and David Watson, manager of the chamber, said: “Once again, I am delighted at the turn out from local and regional businesses.”

There were many new faces present, both members and businesses taking a first look at a Chamber networking event and finding out how they can help a business find new partners, whether they are potential customers, suppliers or other strategic alliances.

Three businesses gave a short presentation on their business: Bakers Buses based in Biddulph, Silkmoth of Macclesfield and

Spin-off Fairport Convention show

Leek music lovers are in for a treat when Fairport Convention spin-off band The Dylan Project appears at The Swan, Leek on Wednesday.

The Dylan Project is fronted by charismatic Birmingham bandleader Steve Gibbons. Much more than just a tribute band, The Dylan Project presents a refreshing and vibrant interpretation of Bob Dylan’s vast repertoire of great songs.

Mid Cheshire College from Nantwich.

A full calendar of forthcoming events was highlighted by Mr Watson, and there was a talk about the forthcoming “Global Entrepreneur Week” and the East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Christmas Lunch to be held at the Chimmney House Hotel in Sandbach on Friday, 4th

December.

A champagne business card draw took place and Matthew Searl of PPS Wealth Management drew the winner’s card.

For more details of the Chamber’s membership, contact Mr Watson or a membe of the team on 01270 752120 or email david.Watson@eastcheshirechamber.co.u

LIVELIVE

Deep Purple, Manchester Apollo. Never mind “The X Factor”. Where will the likes of Will Young and Shane Ward be in 40 years time? Probably not still knocking it out like Deep Purple have been for the best part of 40 years. Since the early 70s heyday and acrimonious split to the mid 80s revival and beyond, they’ve been a pretty constant presence in the classic rock scene. Interestingly enough three fi fths of the classic line up remain — albeit in their mid 60s now, not that you’d know it from the performance they gave in the fi rst show of a tour which will take them round Europe until beyond Christmas. Gone for some time has been temperamental guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, replaced for some years now by the younger — at a mere 55 — Steve Morse, and keyboardist Jon Lord has not long since passed up the rock and roll lifestyle to be replaced by former Blackmore sideman Don Airey.

No matter, with a Deep Purple show, even like this one with no new album to promote, you have a pretty good idea what you’re gonna

et. “Hi hwa star ” “S eed Kin ”

Deep Purple are still on form.

“Hush,” “Space truckin,” “Strange kind of woman,” — the classic 70s material — are always going to be there and if the show doesn’t end with der-der-derrr der-der-der-derrrr (”Smoke on the water” — for those who may be wondering) then you’d feel a bit cheated. And you’d forgive them too, with the thought in the bac of your mind as you fi le out of the venue that this might be the last time you’ve seen Deep Purple doing thei last hurrah.

MA

(Photograph: Mike Ainscoe). The Chronicle, Thursday, 19th November, 2009. www.chronicleseries.co.uk 27

TV cameras roll as Pudsey gives cuddles in Congleton

By Chris Young Television cameras rolled as a charity mascot and a hugging maestro offered cuddles in Congleton town centre on Saturday.

Children In Need’s Pudsey Bear was invited to the town by the Bear Team, a local group hoping to re-brand Congleton as “Beartown.”

He was joined by Debra Brown, founder of “Global Hugs,” a UK company that claims to be dedicated to spreading the joys of hugging.

The two were in town etween 11am and 1.30pm to raise money for Children In

eed, and along with volunteers, offered “hugs for donations”. Passers by took up the offer and helped raise £544.93.

They were even taught how to give a “correct bear hug.”

BBC North West was there to fi lm the event, and organisers hope the footage will be shown on tomorrow’s (Friday) telethon.

After his stint in the town cen

We’re pals: Coun Clarke with Pudsey.

tre, Pudsey moved to a craft fair at Victoria Mill, which was holding workshops to produce lanterns for the town’s Christmas lights switchon and procession next Friday.

Between Monday and Wednesday, Pudsey visited primary schools including Mossley, Daven and Smallwood.

Then the busy bear returned to Manchester to prepare for his big

day tomorrow.

Congleton Mayor Coun Ernie Clarke, who accompanied Pudsey for much of Saturday, said: “Everyone loved Pudsey, the children were really excited to meet him and there were lots of hugs.

Henry Smith in the Children In Need spirit. (“Chronicle” photo. 4705k/09).

(“Chronicle” photo. 4705b/09).

“It was really special having Pudsey in Congleton. Thank you to the Bear Team for organising this.”

For more “Children In Need” pictures, including Pudsey’s visits to the schools, see next week’s “Chronicle.”

Demi Brooks hugs him back. (“Chronicle” photo. 4705g/09).

Theo Miller gets a hug from Debra Brown. (“Chronicle” photo. 4705a/09).

Cuddles: Stichan McCormick, Simeon Scott and Antoinette Yoxall. (“Chronicle” photo. 4705h/09).

Pudsey and friends. (“Chronicle” photo. 4705d/09).

Hand-in-hand with Phoebe and Eve Laurence. (“Chronicle” photo. 4705i/09).

Hugs all round: from left, Paul Kalus, Debra Brown, Kirsty Hollins and Anya Monsoon canvass the streets for generous huggers. (“Chronicle” photo. 4705c/09).

Bear hug for Olivia Kirby. (“Chronicle” photo. 4705f/09).

Bear back rider: Amy Calnon (“Chronicle” photo. 4705j/09).