Change here for Stockport in 2019

All trains are obliged to stop at Stockport and it’s certainly going to be a year of further change for Stockport in 2019.

As reported throughout the year and summarised in the Manchester Evening News,  Stockport is undergoing the biggest transformation in it’s history as £1bn is being invested to create a town fit for purpose today and in the future.

Completed in 2016, Redrock has been attracting new visitors to the town centre where the Light cinema has introduced a new social style of viewing, breaking it’s targets since opening in December; the 24 hour gym along with popular, family dining at Berretto Lounge, Mangobean, Pizza Express and Zizzi’s is providing greater choice and setting the scene for a thriving daytime, evening and night-time leisure economy.

Following Stockport College becoming part of the Trafford College Group, planning has now been approved for a brand new campus providing state-of-the-art facilities: the £24 million proposals include creating a new main entrance, erecting a new building known as ‘The Street’ to link the campus together, demolishing redundant floorspace, refurbishing existing buildings both internally and externally and introducing new landscaping and courtyards.

A new transport interchange in the heart of the town will feature a two-acre public park above the main bus station, which will include a bridge to Stockport Railway Station – and a high-quality residential development.

Building on Stockport’s already first-class connectivity, the interchange will be ‘metrolink ready’, improving connectivity and putting the town on the map as a great place to live, work and visit.

The next phase of Stockport Exchange is underway adjacent to One Stockport Exchange which was fully let prior to completion. 2 Stockport Exchange is a new 60,000 sq ft Grade A office building in the heart of the town’s new business district.

The new six-storey office building is being constructed with GMI Construction Group plc appointed as the project’s main contractor.

2 Stockport Exchange is the next stage of work to get off the ground at the £145m flagship office scheme, which is being delivered in partnership between Stockport Council and national urban regeneration and development specialists, Muse Developments. Stockport Exchange is part of an ambitious regeneration programme that is transforming Stockport town centre.

The Produce Hall in the Market Place is being transformed by renowned restauranteur Steve Pilling, one of two new restaurants he is opening in Stockport Market Place set to repeat the success of Altrincham Market in generating a vibrant food and drink offering. Steve Pilling has over 30 years culinary experience running award winning restaurants such as Sam’s Chop House, Damson, Roost and La Cantina.

His must-visit eatery at Blackshaws opened just before Christmas where visitors can enjoy a wide range delicious food, drink and entertainment.

Throughout the UK, town and city centres are adapting to change and in March 2018, Stockport Council unveiled it’s ambition to deliver a diverse offering for town centre living including building new homes at Covent Garden, developing apartments at the former Royal Mail sorting offices, creating new homes on a 130 acre brownfield site to the west of the town centre and conversion of a former car park at Piccadilly into Stockport’s tallest building housing 164 apartments across 14 storeys, with retail space on the ground floor.