A community gardening group have opened a fundraising stall in Macclesfield Indoor Market.

All proceeds from One Project's new physical premises will go towards maintaining and creating new green spaces in Macclesfield.

The corner plot inside Macclesfield Indoor Market takes on a hybrid charity shop and swap shop model.

There are clothes, books, decorations, and plants available to swap or purchase, mostly cheaper than regular charity shops.

Kate Ellis (left) and Martin Handley (right) had their new stall opened by Macclesfield Mayor and Tytherington resident David Edwardes.

You can bring in some old items to donate, and come back with some vintage finds, giving life to something that otherwise could've been thrown away.

There is also have a suggested donation list if you don't bring anything and just wish to buy an item.

The space has been empty for three years, and will be open mid-morning and early afternoon during the week, and hope to be open at weekends.

The hub will also feature recycling facilities for hard-to-process single use plastics. Where you can bring in your used food wrappers or toiletry packs that may have previously gone in your general waste bin.

One Project's stall is the second eco initiative to open in Macclesfield Indoor Market in as many months, following electric cargo company ELOV.

Martin Handley and Kate Ellis launched the new stall, with funds going towards the recycling costs and community gardening projects across Macclesfield.

One Project's efforts to spruce up the town through fauna will boost our town's bid to get a Britain in Bloom Award this year. (However, it is worth noting they are not officially affiliated with Macc's Britain in Bloom Committee.)

"Money raised goes straight into projects people are crying out for," added Martin.

"There's so many green spaces that aren't used or carparks that could be beautiful.

Bringing items to - or buying from - One Project will fund community greenspaces across the town centre, from planters to fruit and veg plots.

"We only moved in at the weekend, but businesses inside Macclesfield Indoor Market who didn't recycle before have started recycling with us.

"Angie from Angie's cafe has started giving her bread bags to us, Rob from the haberdashery store has been giving us his milk tops, the phone and handbag stalls have been giving all their used chocolate wrappers to us. And we're also helping out the council by recycling the soap dispensers from the bathrooms.

"The indoor market has an amazing community feel to it and the traders in there are lovely. There's some amazing food on offer, products and services.

"It has been so nice to be able to take the time out and talk to everyone all about what we do and what the stall is all about."

From pens to pop sockets, things that couldn't be recycled 20 years ago can now be recycled thanks to One Project. And it is FREE!

Their non-exhaustive list of tricky-to-recycle plastics they can take include bottle tops, water filters, disposable gloves, pens, corks, cheese packets, soap dispenser, biscuit or chocolate wrapping, as well as CDs and DVDs.

Kate Ellis, who is also known in Macclesfield as 'Terracycle Kate', is excited for both sides of the new venture.

"Russ from ELOV approached us with the idea to open up a stall," Kate said.

"He suggested that recycling would bring in footfall as it does for Scoop and Scales. And we needed a home where we could process our single use plastic recycling. And thanks to our items to buy and swap shop, we can raise some funds. Half of the stuff we have is brand new items.

One Project famously tidied up the antisocial behaviour hub at Exchange Square. You too can help them spruce up Macc by bringing single used plastics and unwanted clothing or toys to their Macc Indoor Market Stall.

"We're great to use as firstly, buying from us stop things from going to the tip and helps them to be enjoyed by other people, secondly, It saves you money, we're very flexible we understand a lot of people don't have a lot of income plus charity shops are getting more expensive, finally it benefits us grow greenspaces in town, we'll spend the money on plants and soil to build the little garden spaces that we do."

One Project, who you may know from their private allotment in Rainow, have some big upcoming community garden projects across Macclesfield, for which the new stall will help fund.

This includes a space to grow plants and vegetables outside the Station Street Scout Hut, a greenery on Gunco Lane, and new planters outside Majestic Wine shop on Roe Street.

One Project are also planting 1000 trees on a forestry project up in Bosley, in collaboration with Fruits of the Forage, meaning damson pears and asparagus plants are involved, funded directly from the new Macc Indoor Market stall.

Other upcoming eco projects include hopes to rewild Macclesfield's The Salvation Army by planting wild flowers.

The Macclesfield Indoor Market space is owned by ANSA.

A survey was recently taken by the public regarding the future of the market.

So we asked the newest tenants what they would like see in the market inside Grosvenor Centre.

"Macc Indoor Market have been really lovely to us. There is a great community here," added Kate.

"I would love to see more investment into Macc Indoor Market. We would love some tables for people to sit on and have a coffee. We'd like to see some more smaller independent businesses move in. We'd also love to see the Indoor Market thriving during the Treacle Market as well."

Martin echoed his the sentiments of his eco-positive One Project partner.

"Macc Market like that we are different, we need more stalls like that," he added.

"I would like to see Macc Indoor Market be more local, more sustainable, independent-minded businesses.

"For example, we have also just launched a wax crayon amnesty. So you have broken a crayon, you can drop them off, and our One Project volunteer Lucy will remake them into a new crayon shape you can buy such as a unicorn, which is just amazing.

"Prestbury CE Primary School and Park Royal School have also started giving us their broken crayons. Which we are really grateful for."

The new shop can be found on the left of the Indoor Market if entering via Churchill Way, or the top right if entering from inside the Grosvenor Centre.

One Project are always looking for volunteers. They aim to increase Macclesfield's understanding and ability to live in a sustainable manner. If you believe in this too, get in touch via [email protected] or follow them on Facebook.

Their finalised opening hours will be decided and posted on their Facebook in due course.

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