Business in Congleton

Congleton Town has a strong business infrastructure and a resilient economy.  The Town has the support of the local Chamber of Commerce, a fledgling enterprise centre and an associated learning centre.

Congleton has an estimated 900 VAT registered businesses and a considerable number of developing micro businesses. Whilst the traditional manufacturing areas of textile and engineering have been affected by globalisation, the town still has a significant manufacturing base, with employment in this section well above the national average. There is a shift to the finance and professional, tourism and retail sectors, but this will need to be managed if local labour is to be used in the higher value jobs. The town is a net exporter of labour.
 
The Town Centre Plan is a blueprint of how residents and businesses wish to see the town centre develop. It is transformational but retains the Town’s strong heritage. It includes proposals for a modern retail centre and new health complex. A Town Centre Manager was introduced in 2008 and there is an active traders' group. A wider Regeneration Strategy “Congleton in Transition” was adopted in 2009 through which the Town Council is lobbying for more new modern employment sites capable of attracting the high value businesses, necessary to increase wage earnings in the town nearer to the County average; looking to assist the retention of indigenous businesses; identify and support micro businesses and improve sustainability through becoming a transition town. Congleton is a great place to do business - a town on the up.