Enterprising Macclesfield, a new initiative to encourage and support business in the Macclesfield area, has been launched to coincide with Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Established by the Make it Macclesfield team, Enterprise Macclesfield aims to help start-ups, social enterprises and commercial businesses by providing coaching support, a network of local advisory partners, and access to funding and regional assistance.

Enterprising Macclesfield will be run as a voluntary initiative driven by a group of professionals who are passionate about the importance of enterprise to the local economy. They will be supported by funding from local individuals and businesses, and existing regional, national and European enterprise funds.

"We believe that by providing the right support, more enterprises could thrive in the local area and help to transform Macclesfield into a vibrant enterprise hub," said Tim Shercliff, chairman of Enterprising Macclesfield.

Ray Clarke, from marketing and business development consultancy Shaping Business, has been appointed as programme manager to develop and launch the enterprise support programme.

He said: "Through the enterprise support programmes that we have already been involved in, both within the UK and internationally, we know there are regional, national and EU funding programmes that Macclesfield should tap into."

David Rutley MP said Enterprise Macclesfield was a "fantastic initiative that has the potential to make a real difference to our local economy in Macclesfield".

He added: "There is an entrepreneurial spirit in our town, and it is so important for our entrepreneurs and small businesses to get access to the right combination of coaching support and funding to deliver successful enterprises. I wish this important initiative every success and will give it my full support."