Macclesfield station has scooped the title of large station of the year at Cheshire Best Kept Station Awards. 

The Cheshire station, which is operated by Avanti West Coast, was recognised for its welcoming staff, and clean, bright environment, in the large stations category - beating eight other stations at the annual prestigious awards ceremony.

Members of TravelWatch NorthWest - an independent organisation representing all users of public transport in the North West of England - judged the large station category using their expertise on what railway stations should be providing.

Praising Macclesfield for its customer experience and community feel, the judges honoured the station with the Chris Dale TravelWatch Award. The award commemorates the late Chris Dale – a passionate campaigner for public transport and Chair of TravelWatch NorthWest, who was a Macclesfield resident.

Since 2021, the Avanti West Coast Team has supported the Silklife Foodbank – a service run and supported by Silklife Church in Macclesfield that provides emergency food parcels to local people – with a dedicated space at the station to facilitate donations.

The station has also welcomed art installations in the last 12 months, as part of the Macclesfield art trail - a large mural inspired by Charles Tunnicliffe and a metal townscape reflecting the town's heritage.

An illustration celebrating the town's heritage and culture now adorns the interior of Macclesfield station's footbridge – providing a welcoming gateway to those travelling by train.

Mark Barker, Chairman of Cheshire Best Kept Stations, said: "Located in the heart of the town, Macclesfield station is a railhead for long distance trains to London and the south as well as for local services. It is clean and bright with welcoming staff and a good café. The artwork around the station gives it a community feel."

Macclesfield Railway Station, of Waters Green. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Laura Warwick, Avanti West Coast Station Manager at Macclesfield, said: "We're delighted Macclesfield has been recognised for this prestigious award and couldn't be prouder of the team. They take immense pride in the station and this lovely Cheshire town – providing a warm and friendly service to our customers, as well as supporting causes that matter most to local people. This award is a testament to the team's hard work over the past 12 months."

Beyond the artwork and altruism, the station also has features like a bleed prevention kit, defibrillator and book bank.

It will also gain a new Starbucks in the coming months.