The fight to save a unique business on Macclesfield's high street has stepped up a notch.

Proper Sound is located on Chestergate's east side. The independent business is a music-themed café-bar where you can buy records, art and apparel, alongside a brew or beer.

The business turns three years old next month. However, it has been a challenging three years.

Proper Sound is located at 8 Chestergate, Macclesfield SK11 6BA. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

In addition to the cost of living crisis, ongoing licensing battles have plagued Proper Sound.

In April, Proper Sound was given the go-ahead to extend its licensing hours to 11pm at weekends and until 9pm during the week.

However, the planning permission for this, which would allow those opening hours to be enforced, has not yet gone through.

A decaff latte at Proper Sound. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

The licensing department and planning department are separate at Cheshire East Council. The local authority has recommended the planning application for refusal, citing a 'detrimental impact on nearby residential apartments'.

"We are really frustrated as a business," said Lucie.

"I have had businesses in two other counties, and I did not have any of these problems with the [borough] Council."

Macclesfield artwork up for sale in Proper Sound. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"The fact that people are coming from all over the world, it is drawing economy to the town, and they are trying to shut it down."

Lucie says people from as far as Australia have been customers of Proper Sound, which is also a family business.

"If the public would like to help, they can write a letter to Cheshire East Council CEO Rob Polkinghorne, and the Head of Planning, allowing us to make our changes," explained Lucie.

The town celebrates Macclesfield's connections to the bands Joy Division and New Order. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"We had a petition for our licensing application, which we used before it was approved. We are thinking of adapting it and starting it again for this planning application.

"I wanted to concentrate on getting ready for Christmas, and this has come out. It is all-consuming, when I just want to run my business.

"I want to make changes to improve, but I can't spend another penny until I'm certain I'll be allowed to stay."

(Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Despite a back-and-forth over licensing, the shop has had many highlights over the past 36 months.

From Hacienda and Queen-themed DJ nights, to a regular sushi pop-up, Proper Sound has added an ace up Macclesfield's sleeve by celebrating the town's music heritage, as well as providing a unique experience on the high street.

There has even been celebrity interest in the shop, which combines retail and leisure.

The shop also serves food. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Famous customers have ranged from former Joy Division and ex-New Order bassist Peter Hook, to current New Order members Tom Chapman and Phil Cunningham.

The shop also had an Ian Curtis mural before the Cheshire East Council-backed mural on Mill Street, and sells Joy Division t-shirts in-store.

Separate to the planning application, Cheshire East Council's planning enforcement department are investigating Proper Sound's Ian Curtis mural.

The mural of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis, at Proper Sound, Macclesfield. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"We have an Ian Curtis mural in the courtyard, by the artist Quebekmanchester," Lucie added.

"We were the first Ian Curtis mural in the town. [Preceding the Mill Street mural by almost six months.]

"That mural would not have happened, if we had not happened."

The shop is open four days a week. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Local creatives also have their work stocked here, and local produce is served behind the bar in the way of a Buxton coffee roaster and Macclesfield's Forest Gin.

The shop is also about to stock a print of Hectic House, the former Sunderland Street abode associated with Macclesfield punk rockers The Macc Lads.

Concerns had previously been raised over the flats above the shop, and 'residential amenity' was cited as one of the planning report's five reasons for recommendation, alongside 'archaeology' and 'impact on the appearance of the conservation area'.

The shop will turn three years old at the end of September. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Amidst all this, Lucie has put the business up for sale, with an uncertain future ahead.

Cheshire East Council was contacted for comment.

A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said: "The council was in discussion with the applicant during the application process and, while some issues were resolved, concerns over noise and disturbance for the occupiers of nearby residential properties could not be overcome."

Lucie has urged her customers to write to Cheshire East Council, in support of the business. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Elsewhere, the business has also spoke out about urging the public to engage with the consultation on introducing parking charges on late evenings and Sundays at Macclesfield Cheshire East Council-owned carparks.

You can find more about the Macclesfield business on Facebook and Instagram.

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