Crewe is a town of national significance due to its industrial heritage, particularly in relation to British railways, its mainline interchange station connecting the town to the rest of the country, and engineering works. The railways and train technology still play a major role in the town, alongside the famous Bentley car factory. The foundation of Crewe Engineering and Design University Technical College (UTC) demonstrates how the town will remain a centre for technology, new industrial solutions and manufacturing in the future.

Cheshire East and Crewe Town Councils and their partners have long demonstrated the ambition to enhance pride and renew the collective identity of Crewe in future-facing expressions of the town’s heritage. In 2024, they and a range of local partners communicated their ambition to bring new events to the town centre, bringing communities together, celebrating the diversity of making skills in Crewe and surrounding areas and linking education and skills, creativity, leisure time, heritage and current industry.

Through a competitive funding round, CreweCreates CIC was successful in securing funding to deliver a project that celebrates Crewe’s creativity by animating the town centre. By establishing and deepening connections between an artistic community, not only in Crewe but in the connected North West of England, the town’s schools and colleges, employers and the town’s diverse communities CreweCreates CIC will develop a range of accessible opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with traditional and digital making skills.