Introduction
For too long, Stockport has been seen as a place to pass through; somewhere briefly glimpsed from a westcoast mainline train crossing the high viaduct. It’s a view that’s changing fast.
Across the town centre a positive change is happening. A £1billion investment programme is feeding ambitious plans, led by a public consultation under Andy Burnham’s Mayor’s Town Challenge.
There’s already a revitalising vibe building in Stockport. The heritage areas of the Market Hall Square and Underbank come alive on Foodie Fridays. Independent restaurants, the Produce Hall, pop-ups and retailers have arrived and are feeding the new momentum. Comedy, drama, music, classic movies and more are packing them in at the Grade II-listed Plaza Theatre and new ‘The Light’ Cinema complex plus a variety of big name places to eat and relax at Redrock.
Stockport’s renaissance is centred on a new urban village, bringing 3,500 homes and 100,000 sq metres of business space, supported by all the social infrastructure and place management required for a significant increase of people living in and around the town centre. Stockport Central, Merseyway Shopping Centre and the bus station are all primed for further investment.
This vision for Stockport is certain, multi-faceted and coherent. The fact that Intercity rail, the M60 and A6 all intersect here underpins the ambition – Stockport’s transformation to a vibrant place destination is truly underway, and STOK is proud to be a part of it all.