Future investment has been earmarked for Macclesfield Indoor Market.

Cheshire East Council have indicated funding could go towards its renovation.

In a statement Cheshire East Council said: "Cheshire East Council has confirmed a wide range of projects to be awarded funding from the government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund."

"The projects, to be offered funding have been selected after external appraisal. The funding comes from the borough's allocation of the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities Shared Prosperity Fund.

"Projects include the refurbishment of Macclesfield and Knutsford Indoor Markets."

The news comes just days after new toilets opened inside Macclesfield Indoor Market.

The exact amount to go towards refurbishment is not yet known.

Macclesfield Central Ward Councillor Ashley Farrall said: "I welcome the investment (although not yet fully guaranteed) which follows significant investment and planning from Cheshire East and MTC into the new changing places toilets that Liz and I have been involved in since 2021, I'm not sure if this government investment would have come if not for that."

"I look forward to working with local stakeholders on the proposals to guarantee this investment and hope it goes towards supporting a new vibrant local indoor market."

Macclesfield Central Ward Councillor Liz Braithwaite said: "The proposal to refurbish the Indoor Market is very welcome.

"I look forward to seeing the details and to working with all interested parties, including the market traders, to deliver a modern, thriving market place that will enhance the town centre."

Macclesfield Central Ward Councillor Ashley Farrall said: "I welcome the investment (although not yet fully guaranteed) which follows significant investment and planning from Cheshire East and MTC into the new changing places toilets that Liz and I have been involved in since 2021, I'm not sure if this government investment would have come if not for that."

"I look forward to working with local stakeholders on the proposals to guarantee this investment and hope it goes towards supporting a new vibrant local indoor market."

Macclesfield Indoor Market Stall Holder Brian Painter, of Modern Woolfare said: "I welcome any talk of inward investment in the Indoor Market."

"It's sadly been allowed to decline due to chronic under funding in the past. The opening of new toilet and baby changing facilities has demonstrated that the market is here to stay and and an intent for both the county and town council to ensure the market remains a real asset and continues its revival.

"The market boasts 20 different small independent businesses that are working very hard with local initiatives like Totally Locally Macclesfield, to promote the market and town centre and its near 250 independent stores."

Councillor Sam Corcoran, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: "This is very positive news for the whole borough, as projects will be delivered in towns and villages that haven't always previously been able to benefit from central funding opportunities."

"Some of the projects that are going forward are not specific to any one particular place but can benefit a wide range of areas across the borough.

"The timescales for delivering the projects are tight but we will be ready and determined to support the teams and partners involved in them, to help these excellent projects come to fruition."

These grants are distributed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and are part of the government's Levelling Up agenda, which is providing £2.6bn of funding through local investment by March 2025.

Cheshire East Council has been allocated £12.4m.

Councillor Nick Mannion, vice chair of Cheshire East Council's economy and growth committee, said: "It is excellent news that just under £1.35m of UK Shared Prosperity Fund has been allocated to support a further phase of refurbishment works in Macclesfield's indoor market. 

"It follows the recent upgrade of the toilet facilities at the indoor market, to make them suitable for public use.

"The allocation of UKSPF funding is a really positive step forward for both market traders, residents, and visitors to the town.

"We do, however, have some further work to do before we can confirm further details about the project and before full approvals for the works can be put in place. We will of course continue to engage with market traders during this process.

"If full approval for the scheme is granted, we will need to act swiftly to meet the tight timescales attached to the fund, with all works having to be completed by the end of March 2025."

More good news for the Market follows recent stall additions like an Asian street food eatery and the East Cheshire Hospice tombola.