News in Macclesfield

This year's annual Bollington Nostalgia Hill Race took place virtually for the first time, with local MP, David Rutley, taking part to help raise funds for the Bridgend Centre – a much-valued local charity.

As the Centre's Patron, Mr Rutley is traditionally on hand each year to start the race. However, this year, with social distancing measures in place, Mr Rutley was able to take part in the virtual race on the bank of the Thames after a day's work in Parliament.

Macclesfield residents are being reminded to take extra care to help keep themselves and others safe when visiting the re-opened pubs, bars and restaurants this weekend.

Last week hundreds of venues across the county reopened their doors, with more expected to follow this weekend.

A 42-year-old man from Liverpool who committed a robbery at a convenience store in Macclesfield has been jailed for more than four years.

Andrew Monaghan, of HMP Altcourse, and formally from Huyton, travelled to Macclesfield on Saturday 12 October.

Macclesfield's Boots Opticians could be at risk of closure after the company announced today (9th) that it will cutting 4,000 jobs and closing 48 opticians across the country.

Boots UK says it is 'taking decisive action to mitigate the significant impact that Covid-19 has had on the business.'

The National Lottery is searching for Macclesfield's 'hometown hero' or 'lockdown legend' as part of the 2020 National Lottery Awards.

This year the annual search for the UK's most popular National Lottery funded projects will, for the first time, honour individuals who have made an extraordinary impact in their community, especially those who have adapted during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Cheshire East Council has taken the decision to deliver an enhanced offer of adaptations that people can make in their own homes – supporting people to live independently.

The decision, which was made at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, focused on continuing to use a framework approach to its installation of level access showers, and wet rooms for residents who need them most.

A local sustainability group has called on the borough council to use the opportunity of additional infrastructure funding to make Macclesfield more cyclist-friendly.

Macctastic, a community group facilitating residents in the town to take action on issues such as climate change, wants to challenge the dominance of the motor vehicle our roads.

A Macclesfield housing association with around 5,000 homes has appointed a permanent chief executive following the resignation of his predecessor.

Mark Howden, who joined Peaks & Plains Housing Trust as Director of Place from Balfour Beatty in May 2019, took on the role of interim chief executive last November following the self-referral to the Regulator of Social Housing and resignation of then chief executive, Tim Pinder.

A dynamic Macclesfield-based business, AER Electric (AER), is gearing up for growth with its award-winning AER 557 premium adult electric scooter.

Local MP, David Rutley, recently met Mr John Irving, the company's founder, at AER's refurbished head office near the town centre where the scooters are assembled to find out more about the company's exciting plans to meet the surging demand for e-scooters following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

The RSPCA rescued a corn snake which was found hiding in a wood shed in Macclesfield.

The adult snake was found amongst bin bags in the shed by a member of the public who had quite a shock when they discovered what was inside.