News in Macclesfield

Macclesfield businesses are set to receive some relief as Cheshire East Council begins the roll out of almost £90m in government-backed coronavirus business grant funding.

Around 8,000 businesses in the borough are eligible to receive grants of either £10,000 or £25,000 under a government scheme totalling nearly £90m across Cheshire East.

A Macclesfield man has been keeping his neighbours entertained through two back garden concerts that have helped the community come together while staying apart.

Nick Pettigrew, who lives in the close-knit community of Lyme Green, on the outskirts of Macclesfield has been playing music for neighbours using his loudspeakers, with plans to branch into bingo.

A Macclesfield IT company has stepped up to create protective equipment for frontline workers responding to the coronavirus outbreak and they are calling on others to do the same.

Tim Parkinson, who runs Nebular Cloud, based in Tytherington, has been using his 3D printer to produce much-needed face visors amid concern that government supplies are not reaching the frontline.

A care home is offering Macclesfield District General Hospital the use of a 30-bed unit, free of charge, to help in the local fight against coronavirus.

Capital Care Group, the owners of Weston Park care home, on Moss Lane in Macclesfield has made the offer to the East Cheshire NHS Trust amid a national effort to increase critical care bed capacity.

Care village Belong Macclesfield took part in the second weekly Clap for Carers, showing their support and thanks for the NHS and all frontline care workers with their own rendition of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow'.

Approximately 30 of the village's residents braved the chilly spring air by taking to their windows and balconies for a round of applause at 8pm.

An application to convert a Macclesfield office building into two apartments has been approved by planning officers despite parking concerns from neighbouring residents.

The existing property at 166 Buxton Road, Macclesfield is two storeys and is based in a primarily residential area where parking is predominantly on-street.

The mayor has praised the work of local volunteers and groups who have responded to those in need amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Cllr Janet Jackson MBE said: "In this time of crisis I have been overwhelmed by the number of residents in Macclesfield who have come forward to offer their help to others in the Community. Family and friends supporting their neighbours and looking out for those who need their help."

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Macclesfield Town Council has been issuing emergency grants to specific community groups directly involved with the response.

Grants of £2,000 have been given to local groups Cre8, Cheshire Streetwise, Green in the Corner, the Hope Centre, Calvary Church and CORE.

A new website has launched to serve the town of Macclesfield with hyper-local news and what's on - but without any annoying advertising.

Macclesfield Nub News - which can be found here - is an online newspaper solely for Macclesfield and the surrounding area.