A map of artworks in Macclesfield town centre has been produced by Cheshire East Council to enable visitors and residents to locate key points of cultural interest across the town.

The new Macclesfield art trail will help people find innovative outdoor public art works in unusual places.

The beautifully curated map includes striking artworks inspired by the renowned wildlife artist Charles Tunnicliffe, which can be seen on the train station lift tower and on the shop shutters of businesses along Sunderland Street. 

All ages can also enjoy the bespoke kerbstones along the revamped Castle Street, which incorporate extracts from 'A Love Letter To Macc', a poem compiled from words written by Macclesfield residents to celebrate everything they love about the town. It also features the mural of the former Joy Division frontman, Ian Curtis, which was unveiled in March last year. 

In a statement Cheshire East Council said: "The delivery of more public art across the town centre is an objective of the Macclesfield Town Centre Strategic Regeneration Framework, which sets out the council's strategy for supporting the town centre. The map will help everyone to uncover different artworks across the town that have become part of its fabric over the years."

A Macclesfield West and Ivy Councillor praised the initiative.

Councillor Nick Mannion, vice chair of Cheshire East Council's economy and growth committee, said: "The installation of these significant artworks has been an outstanding project to be involved with and I am extremely grateful to our colleagues at Avanti West Coast, who made it possible. 

"Working on these projects has been a truly collaborative experience – the input of local residents and the Macclesfield Cultural Forum especially, has been integral to the final works we can all now enjoy. 

Macclesfield-born Cllr Mannion continued: "The map itself is a really clever way of bringing all these wonderful spots to the public attention all over again and will enable visitors to Macclesfield to discover some of the town's hidden treasures!

"The artworks that have been delivered with this grant funding will encourage people to stay in the town for longer, which in turn will support local businesses and impact positively on the visitor economy. I'm really impressed with how this funding has managed to go so far in terms of the added impact to the presence of visual art in the town – which is now extremely impressive."

The murals were partly funded by a £50,000 grant from Avanti West Coast's Customer & Communities Investment Scheme, whose trains serve the town.

Laura Harper, Macclesfield station manager at Avanti West Coast, said: "We're proud Macclesfield station is home to beautiful artwork that features in the town's art trail, as we want to champion the people, places, and communities we serve. 

"Macclesfield station is an important gateway to the region, and with a townscape created by a local artist and a mural inspired by Charles Tunnicliffe, we hope it will give residents a sense of pride, as well as offer a warm welcome to those visiting the area by train or taking part in the trail." 

In a statement Avanti West Coast added "We have supported the town to welcome eight new pieces of art and create a specially designed trail map that identifies local cultural interest spots."

"The Macclesfield art trail – a collection of outdoor public art installations located across the area – brings together existing artwork in the town centre, as well as the recently-commissioned pieces of art that pay tribute to the community."

Macclesfield station, which is managed by Avanti West Coast and served by its Pendolino trains, is the location for two artworks – a townscape and large-scale mural.

The metal townscape outside the main entrance of the station was designed by sculptor, Tim Davies, using images created by young people in Macclesfield. Featuring landmarks, including designer furniture store, Arighi Bianchi, and the original Hovis Mill, the art piece reflects the town's rich heritage.

UK-based street artist, Peachzz, painted the large mural on the lift tower. Inspired by Macclesfield artist, Charles Tunnicliffe, who remains one of Britain's most popular artists of the natural world, the mural features swifts in a nod to the town's efforts to increase the local population of the species.

Supported through Avanti West Coast's Customer and Communities Investment Scheme – a funding pot available for projects that bring positive changes to communities local to the West Coast Main Line – the self-guided trail features 20 pieces of art in total spread across Macclesfield that can be enjoyed using the illustrated map.

The map has been specially designed to guide residents and visitors to major artworks at their leisure and was created by an illustrator whose work adorns the interior of Macclesfield station's footbridge – an illustration celebrating the town's heritage and culture.

Laura Harper, Avanti West Coast Station Manager at Macclesfield, said: "We're proud to have supported the Macclesfield art trail, as we want to champion the people, places, and communities we serve while making a positive difference locally.

"There is now a brilliant range of artwork located across the town and we're excited Macclesfield station is home to some beautiful pieces that feature in the trail.

"Macclesfield station is an important gateway to the region, and with a townscape created with the help of local young people and a mural inspired by Charles Tunnicliffe, we hope it will give residents a sense of pride, as well as offer a warm welcome to those visiting the area by train or taking part in the trail."

The map, which is available from Macclesfield Visitor Information Centre on Market Place, also includes pre-existing artwork commissioned by Macclesfield Town Council and private businesses.

Tim Davies said: "The Macclesfield station townscape was a collaborative artwork, a testament to the town's history, and a tribute to its vibrant community.

"Created in partnership with local school and college pupils, it represents the collective spirit and creativity that defines Macclesfield as well as creating a warm welcome to visitors and commuters on arrival."

"I am immensely proud to have played a role in the Macclesfield Art Trail, it is heartwarming to see how art can bring people together and breathe new life into a place.

"I look forward to seeing the trail continue to inspire and captivate both residents and visitors alike."

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Peachzz said: "I feel honoured to have painted at such an iconic space in Macclesfield station – a building where so many people come and go to visit such a beautiful place.

"I decided to get involved with the Art Trail because the brief was so exciting looking at the work of a historical illustrator, Charles Tunnicliffe, who lived in Macclesfield.

"His work has clearly had a huge impact on the town and it was humbling to create a piece of art inspired by him."

You can read a previous Macclesfield Nub News interview with Peachzz on this link.

See Also: Macclesfield business All Things Nice celebrates first birthday

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