Just 15 years ago this northern town was a ghost town – struggling to survive in the shadow of nearby Manchester. Like many towns across the UK, Stockport had been heading downhill for years.
Industry was in decline, investment drying up, flagship stores had closed their doors and moved away, and a famous high street was deserted.
And it was voted the 12th worst place to live in the UK by the controversial book Crap Towns. It described the Merseyway shopping precinct as the “town’s heart” – but only if you wanted to “buy anything from Woolworths, Argos or Everything For £1”.
It warned visitors that if they walked underneath the precinct’s second-floor balcony they risked a “shower of gob, McDonald’s fries and stones from the gangs of youths above”.
Fast forward to today and Stockport is a town reborn. Transformed, it has been named by the Sunday Times as the best place to live in the North West. With the UK’s largest town centre regeneration, it’s been nicknamed the ‘New Berlin.’
There’s a visible buzz, with modern homes, open green spaces, great transport links and bustling new businesses and restaurants springing up. One of those, Cantaloupe, has even been named in the Michelin guide. Proud town leaders said it is a blueprint on how struggling town centres across the country can be revitalised.
An early milestone came in 2015 with the start of construction of Redroc, a £45 million leisure scheme built on the site of a former car park. Opening in 2017, Redrock has a 10-screen Light Cinema, restaurants, cafés, and a major multi-storey car park – enticing people to stay in the town centre into the evening.
Change accelerated in 2019 when Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham introduced the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), driving improvement and investment in the town. The £1 billion scheme aimed to deliver 4,000 new homes in the west of the town centre to help tackle the housing crisis while making Stockport somewhere people want to call home
And the MDC is now expanding its boundary, doubling its size, with the aim of delivering another 4,000 homes (8,000 in total) on land to the east. Plans include a new secondary school and a riverside park. The Mayor has taken his proposals to the Secretary of State and wants to introduce MDCs across Greater Manchester, including nearby Middleton and Ashton-under-Lyne.
He tells The Mirror: “The difference in Stockport is massive and I think it’s given the blueprint of how to turn around a proud English town. Over the years there have been a lot of good intentions that never quite did it. This has shown how to do it. This is the blueprint. What Stockport has done is of national significance. Key is new modern, affordable residential homes, quiet green spaces and good transport links.”
Earlier this year it was announced that the tram – part of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network – will be extended to Stockport in the coming years, as part of a £2.5 billion investment in the region’s transport system. Mr Burnham says the MDC plans for Middleton are being led by actor Steve Coogan, who hails from Stockport, adding: “This model has gone to Middleton. Steve is invested in making it a success.”
As Manchester grows, benefits will be seen in surrounding towns, as the region enjoys the highest growth in the UK, according to Mr Burnham, who adds: “We also thought about the links between the city and the town. In the past they were pitched against each other.” Keen for surrounding towns to benefit as Manchester grows, he adds: “I’m confident that is what’s starting to happen. This is the template. Greater Manchester has used devolution to do what Whitehall and Westminster didn’t do for us.
“We’ve created the growth, we’ve done it. Liverpool is growing faster too. The North West is growing faster than the UK average. It’s really happening, but we still have to make the case to Whitehall.” Stockport Council leader Mark Roberts has described the changes taking place in Stockport as a “UK-leading” regeneration scheme. He says: “The MDC has already accomplished transformative change in the west of the town centre – from better transport links and vibrant green spaces to thousands of new homes, jobs and major investment – so it’s only right to extend this success to the east.
“Parliamentary approval would unlock inclusive growth across the entire town centre, accelerating the delivery of 8,000 much-needed homes, a new school and a modern health hub. It brings our vision closer to reality for a thriving town centre that benefits everyone in the borough.” Thanking Mr Burnham, he adds: “We’re proud that the success of our model is recognised across Greater Manchester and the UK as a blueprint for urban living and shows what’s possible when partners, investment and ambition come together.”
One of the key redevelopment areas has been the Stockport Exchange, built next to the railway station, which has seen a thriving business hub. The local authority also took control of the much derided Merseyway shopping precinct around a decade ago and began diversifying its use.
What used to be the M&S is now STOK, an office development attracting major employers. There is also the Merseyway Innovation Centre, providing modern, flexible workspace for startups and creative businesses. Stockroom, which opened in May, a former retail space, now offers a town centre library, children’s creative area, the town’s historical archives, a cafe bar and studio space. More than 250,000 people passed through its doors in the first 10 weeks.
The historic Underbanks area, which was massively neglected, has seen the empty units filled with vintage stores, bakeries and bars. And, following a £7 million investment, Stockport Market boasts a host of new traders, attracting shoppers to the town. It is here that we tracked down a number of Stockport residents who are thrilled by their town’s regeneration.
Karen Jordan, 68, who has lived in the centre of Stockport since 2008, says: “Lots of new niche businesses have come into the town, the buildings are all being regenerated, so the restoration as a whole of Stockport has just been brilliant. There’s just a general feeling that people are beginning to flourish.”
Mark Henderson, 58, of Wally’s Finest Fruit and Veg, says: “I’ve been at this store since I was a child and I took over from my dad about 14 years ago. Things are improving. It is a nice place to live, it’s a friendly place.” Christine Rimmer, 76, says: “I’ve seen a big change in Stockport. It used to be a dump but, since Covid we’ve seen shops in Underbank come up and there’s lots of cafes. It’s great to live here now.”
Kate, from Kate O’Brien Art in Stockport Market, who paints pictures of the town, says: “It’s really vibrant. When I first came into this market, people were like ‘why would I want Stockport on my wall, it’s a bit of a dump?’ But I just never hear that anymore. People are really proud to be from Stockport. It’s definitely on the up. It’s an exciting time to be part of Stockport. I’ve noticed the investment – particularly the Underbank and the Market Place areas.”
Daniel Heginbotham, 45, says: “It’s just on the up now.They’ve got things like the Maker’s Market and Foodie Friday, which everyone comes down to and takes part in. There’s a lot of people coming in here now. It’s a good place to live.” And Julie Holland, 68, of The Veterans Food Company, says: “Everyday new things are happening and new buildings are opening. The indoor market hall’s got everything anyone could ever need. I’ve seen a massive change in my lifetime. I think it’s picking up now and going the right way.”
