The town hall will become a community hub for weddings, parties and the arts after a £1.2m overhaul due to start this year.
The brains behind the revamp – funded by the taxpayer – hope the transformation will boost the number of people using the town centre and revitalise shops, bars and restaurants.
Cheshire East’s registration service will be based at the hall after the work, which will close the building from October this year to April 2012.
A council spokesman said: "The refurbishment will see the building thrust into the 21st century – we want to open the building up as a truly community-based facility for the people of Macclesfield.
"The assembly rooms, old council chamber and function rooms will be refurbished to ensure they are of a standard befitting the hall’s grandeur as a significant listed building.
"We want the refurbished town hall to supplement the town’s amenities and encourage more people to hold events in the building.
"Also, as a council, we have a duty to maintain historic buildings and prevent them from getting into a state of disrepair."
A lift will be installed to give access to all parts of the building and the roof and windows will be repaired.
All historical items will remain in the building following the facelift, which is supported by the Macclesfield Economic Forum, formed to revitalise the town centre.
Clare Hayward, chairwoman of the Forum, said: "This is a very exciting project and we have offered our full support.
"We want to encourage an increasing number of people into Macclesfield both during working hours and in the evening, boosting the town’s economy.
"The success of the Barnaby Festival proved there’s an appetite in Macclesfield for the performing arts.
"We want this to be a major part of the town hall, bringing people to the town.
"In turn this will help support our restaurants, bars and retailers."
