A new arts magazine for Macclesfield has been announced to be published in the new year.

The Greenhouse Magazine, founded by local publisher, author and teacher Tom England (33), will be a print magazine encompassing Macclesfield fiction, art, poetry and photography.

Tom explained how he came up with the concept and name for the magazine.

"Greenhouses encourage plants to grow by giving them a place to flourish. They help channel light towards what is already germinating… and that's what we want this magazine to for local writers and artists," he said.

"Macclesfield and its surrounding villages are full of creative energy, and I hope The Greenhouse becomes a place for all that creativity to blossom.

"First and foremost, it will be a high quality, beauty produced full-colour publication - to do justice to the wonderful work being produced by the area's exceptionally talented writers and artists."

Tom has lived in Macclesfield for the last three years, and a long-family connection in Bollington.

He shares an allotment in Macclesfield with his brother, who also moved to Macc, and Tom also sings in the Bollington Festival Choir.

The public getting behind the arts throughout various lockdowns was an impetus to support our town's own arts scene with a magazine.

"I think a lot of people rediscovered their artistic and creative side during the pandemic", Tom also said.  

"And coming out of it, I think many people have realised that their cultural life is very important to them - particularly in places like Macclesfield which also have such a strong sense of community.

"The basis for the publication was in keeping with that feeling of renewed enthusiasm for the creative arts, and to help it along. Macclesfield is teeming with creativity and always has been. 

"Towns and villages like Macclesfield and its surrounding areas are a vital part of the country's artistic ecosystem, and it's important that we continue to nourish it and let light shine on it."

The magazine, which will launch by Easter, will mostly be a print-only affair. But some extracts will be published online.

It will cost between five and ten pounds, and has ambitions to be a regular at Macclesfield's Treacle Market.

"We want to produce a magazine which looks beautiful, and we want to pay our contributors in future - which is what our cover price will allow," added Tom.

All artists and writers - no matter age, experience or background - can submit work to their first edition, which is on the theme of light, to [email protected]. 

Full submission details are here.

You can follow the new mag on Twitter.

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