The Plan

Here you can download summary plans that are key to the Cheshire’s archives: a story shared project. They explain what was proposed at the conclusion of the development stage in Summer 2022 and what we are working towards for the next four years.

If you have any questions you can contact us or post a comment.

Chester building design and access statement (pdf 9.71 MB)

Crewe building design and access statement (link to Cheshire East Council planning online)

Conservation plan summary (pdf 267 KB)

Interpretation plan executive summary (pdf 2.57 MB)

Activity plan executive summary (pdf 122 KB)

Activity strand summaries (pdf 416 KB)

The headlines from these documents are that the Cheshire’s archives: a story shared project will deliver our vision: ‘Easy Access to Histories: collecting evidence of Cheshire communities’ lives past and present, for everyone, for the future.’

The heritage of Cheshire will be more accessible and relevant to the lives of our communities. We will

• reimagine our public face, engaging and inspiring people across Cheshire with their archival heritage.

• provide much-needed new homes for nationally important collections, as rich and complex as the story of Cheshire.

• attract diverse audiences to enjoy high quality interpretation, activities, learning, and research.

This project will deliver

• new centres in Crewe and Chester and trailblazing exhibitions for archives

• 81,060 visitors to the centres by March 2033

• an Activity Plan which will engage 65,000 people over four years

• new digital forms of engagement which will engage 560,000 people over four years

• 2,080 volunteer days

• five new project posts and a net additional 27.1 full time equivalent jobs in Cheshire.

• net additional GVA (gross value added of our contribution to the local economy) of £1.52 million p.a. from 2027

•a transformed, sustainable archives service which will continue to deliver positive outcomes for people for years to come.