Shoppers have welcomed plans for a new arts hub celebrating the music of Joy Division and the town’s industrial heritage.

Julie Hamer, of Incubation Arts, lobbied shoppers at the Grosvenor Centre over her ambitious project for a creative hub in Charles Roe House, on Chestergate. It will feature galleries and workshops with recording studios and performance spaces.

A big part of the plan will be an exhibition dedicated to the band Joy Division, whose members Ian Curtis and Steve Morris came from Macclesfield, which is hoped would attract visitors into Macclesfield.

An exhibition will also celebrate silk and copper industrialist Charles Roe, who lived at the house in the 17th century and was said to be the founder of Macclesfield’s silk industry.

Julie, who is bidding for Heritage Lottery cash to fund the project, said: “The consultation at the Grosvenor Centre went incredibly well and was overwhelmingly positive.

“People have been saying it’s a fantastic idea and is just what the town needs. There is a lot of support already among people involved with the arts and music scene and we were keen to hear the views of the wider public. I would urge people to get involved by making their views known via our online survey and we are planning another public consultation event at Macclesfield Library. If we succeed in getting funding the plan is to open the creative hub in 2017. The project will save one of the most historic buildings in Macclesfield for public use.”

Julie Hamer and Jeff Teasedale, directors of Incubation Arts in Macclesfield.

Shopper Helen Lindars, a counsellor and therapist from Macclesfield, welcomed the proposal, adding: “There are lots of creative people in Macclesfield who really need a space like the one proposed. It’s also a great idea to commemorate notable people from the town like Joy Division singer Ian Curtis, whose contribution to popular music is legendary. Charles Roe House is perfect as it is a very ambient building located in the heart of town.”

Macclesfield musician Pete McGuckian said there’s a lively arts and music scene in the town so lots of people could get involved.

He added: “There are musicians and bands who are collaborating and swapping contacts and they would make great use of a new hub. This is long overdue and is just what the town needs.”

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