News in Macclesfield

Figures released today (Friday 17th April) have revealed that a vast majority of children across Macclesfield and the borough have received their first or second primary school choice for the September 2020 academic year.

Offer letters have been sent to families this week with 98.1 per cent of Cheshire East residents offered a preference school and 91.4 per cent offered their first choice.

Cheshire East Council has today (17th April) issued an update on how it is working to deliver more than £90 million in emergency business grants to qualifying businesses in Macclesfield and across the borough.

Following the Chancellor's announcement in March, a £330 billion Covid-19 support package was announced to businesses in the UK, including a business grant scheme which would be distributed by local authorities.

The Cheshire East Council highways team have created a touching tribute to NHS and frontline staff outside of Macclesfield District and General Hospital.

They have painted a message on the road simply stating: "Thank you NHS".

A Macclesfield food bank has seen a steep rise in the number of people needing its services as the economic impact of coronavirus hits the town.

In February, the Silklife Foodbank received 90 referrals to help individuals and families, which is where they are normally capped.

Macclesfield Town Council have extended the application period to nominate people for the mayor's civic awards due to the coronavirus pandemic and to recognise the volunteers responding to it.

The award scheme was launched a few weeks ago by the mayor of Macclesfield, Cllr Janet Jackson MBE and recognises people who have given their time to make a difference to a community, group or the town.

Volunteers are needed to help a Macclesfield company who plan to produce "thousands" of face shields a day to help protect those bravely tackling the coronavirus pandemic on the frontlines.

JTAPE, whose factory and headquarters are based in Macclesfield, needs volunteers to work from home and assemble disposable face shields to get them out rapidly to the likes of NHS and care home staff.

A Macclesfield care home has gone digital to ensure its elderly residents and clients in the community are keeping active during the lockdown.

Belong Macclesfield care village have launched a YouTube channel in which their lead fitness instructor, Anthony Harley, creates exercise routines geared towards that demographic.

Macclesfield firefighters have discovered the body of a man following a fire at a Congleton bungalow.

At around 5am yesterday (13th April), firefighters were called to reports of a fire at a bungalow in Woodlands Park, Congleton.

Like pubs and bars across the country, the St Dunstan Inn is closed for now and faces an uncertain future.

The pub, which is based in the village of Langley, near Macclesfield, has joined Save Pub Life scheme created by the Budweiser Brewing Group in which their regulars can buy gift cards to help through this difficult period.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, churches in Macclesfield have had to come up with innovative solutions to deliver this year's Easter service to their parishioners.

Nub News spoke to two church leaders in the town about how they have been adapting to the new circumstances.