Peaky Blinder’s church to host concert in bid to raise funds for hospital
ACHURCH that featured in Peaky Blinders is to host a major concert featuring a host of top names.
Party in the Pews takes place at Christ Church, on Bridge Street, Macclesfield, from Thursday, April 28, to May 2.
It will feature former Joy Division and New Order star Peter Hook, 2000s indie-pop band Toploader and 1970s and 80s new wave icons Buzzcocks.
Eagle-eyed fans of Peaky Blinders may recognise the church from scenes that were filmed there in series two of the hit BBC show.
And those who buy tickets will be helping fund the Christie at Macclesfield
cancer centre, as well as the formerly derelict church itself.
Organiser Jo Lowes, a teacher who also runs Puffer Fish Promotions, said: “There’s an amazing church that’s not being used at the moment called Christ Church in the centre of Macclesfield; the acoustics are amazing. The church itself is absolutely stunning.
“Nobody gets to see inside, never gets seen.
“I just think it will make an absolutely amazing venue.
“The second reason for running the event was I’ve previously been a patient at the Christie hospital.
“Before the Christie opened (at Macclesfield Hospital), everybody from Macclesfield and all the surrounding areas used to have to it travel to the Manchester unit.
“Sometimes they could be doing 90 minutes’ travel each way, which is horrendous on top of treatment as well.”
Louise Dawson, from the Christie charity, said: “Events like Party in the Pews are vital for the fundraising we do.
“We’re so grateful to the organisers for their hard work lining up amazing performers for the event.
“The Christie charity was instrumental in funding £23 million of the £26 million cost of the new Christie at Macclesfield.
“Now that the new cancer centre is built, there’s still more to be done to support cancer patients as they go through their treatment.”
Christ Church in Macclesfield was made redundant in 1983 and taken into the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.
Now it is in the hands of the The Roe-naissance Project, which hopes to bring it back to life as a regular events venue.
Dan Lancaster, chairmain of The Roe-naissance Project, said: “We’re delighted to host Party in the Pews – it’s the biggest regular event we have the fortune to host.
“It’s also about getting people through the door to see our wonderful building.
“We look forward to a future where we have a full programme of events throughout the year.” ●●SOME tickets for the weekend are still available, but the finale on May 2 is sold out.