A petition has started to get Primark to replace Marks and Spencer in Macclesfield.

With the Mill Street clothing store to close by the end of the year - or very early 2023 at the latest - speculation is rife over what big name should move into our town.

And Macclesfield constituency resident Sarah Highcock believes Irish fast fashion retailer Primark should move into our town.

The petition states: "With M&S moving further out of Macclesfield to the new Barracks Mill development this will leave a massive hole on Macclesfield high street in quite a large prominent unit, with Macclesfield already losing so many shops, we need a brand that everyone will shop with and utilise to keep people coming into the town and keep other important to the community businesses open.

"The demand for a Primark in Macclesfield has dated back to 2015 and is something people really want.

"This will also benefit neighbouring communities such as Congleton and Buxton."

While the new petition only currently has 190 signatures, every time Macclesfield Nub News posts about Marks & Spencer shutting on Facebook, there are comments calling for Primark to replace it.

The nearest Primark to Macclesfield is currently 13 miles away in Stockport.

The discount clothing retailer responded to requests for comment.

A Primark spokesperson said: "We continually review opportunities for expansion of the Primark business however, as you'd expect, we don't comment on speculation about where or when we might open our next stores."

You can sign the petition here.

Earlier this month, it was announced the Marks & Spencer building on 33 Mill Street will become a 'mixed use' destination, with a mixture of retail, leisure and office space.

No parties have registered their interest thus far, which is being presented to potential investors by Hallams Property Consultants.

Please click here to read that article.

In December, documents were submitted for a 5G mast to be erected on top of the Macclesfield building.

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