The “Chronicle’s” long-standing presence in Congleton town centre has been recognised by the mayor.
Deputy editor James Jackson accepted Coun Kay Wesley’s Congleton High Street award on behalf of the family-owned independent newspaper, established more than 130 years ago.
As her year in office drew to a close, Coun Wesley wanted to recognise town centre-based firms, which she said were an “integral” part of Congleton’s fabric. She has been distributing the awards to businesses that have continued to trade in the town for 70 years or more.
Further recipients will be announced shortly.
When she called at the “Chronicle’s” Market Square office to hand over the certificate and window sticker, Coun Wesley said: “Not only should Congleton be grateful that it still has its own newspaper to inform us about what is happening each week, we should be thankful that the firm has remained in the town centre, along with the other established businesses.
“Sadly, some come and go, unable to cope with the transformation town centres have gone through in recent years but we need to support all the business in the town centre, not least the ones that have been serving Congleton for so long.”
The “Chronicle’s” shop front was on High Street for years and our offices still are. The shop was let out after the pandemic, the reception moving to the back of our building around the corner in Market Square. With fewer staff in the building thanks to hybrid working, the move to the back offered more security for staff when working alone.
Mr Jackson said: “With many local newspapers that have survived the digital age, many moved out of town centres long ago, relocating to business parks on the outskirts, for example.
“Others have got rid of their offices altogether since the advent of working from home.
“But the ‘Chronicle’ still recognises the importance of a town centre location. Not only does our office provide easy access for people to pop in with their announcements, adverts and tip-offs for stories but it is also important that established firms remain as part of the town’s beating heart.”
He added: “The ‘Chronicle’ would like to thank Coun Wesley for her award and her recognition of our location in the town centre.”
The “Chronicle” office was a stationer’s before it was a newspaper, as well as offering the town’s lending library. At some point it took over the “Macclesfield Mercury” and then Robert Head launched the “Chronicle” in 1893.
The two major histories of Congleton have both been written in our offices – Samuel Yates owned the building when he wrote his history of Congleton in 1820, followed by Robert Head’s own history, printed in 1887.
The Head family sold up on the 80s to then-editor John Condliffe and his business partner Ray Stacey. The business is now owned by Mr Condliffe’s widow Shirley and son Jem, the current editor.
Not counting pubs, other long-standing businesses in the town centre include Burns Garage and Davenport’s gent’s outfitters.
