Marketing Stockport members experienced first-hand the £1billion regeneration of Stockport this week at the monthly event, held on the 4th floor of the new Grade A office development of One Stockport Exchange.
Many who attended chose to take the train and arrived on the ‘wow’ spot as they experienced the new gateway to Stockport – Stockport Exchange.
This month guest speaker Caroline Simpson, Director of Place at SMBC, brought the eighty strong audience up to speed with the current progress of the regeneration of Stockport and revealed the next phases, some very much at early stages, but all designed to create a vibrant and thriving town centre for business, residents and visitors alike. Priorities will deliver over 5,000 new jobs & 1,000 new homes and include
Improving Local transport networks – making it easier to get in and around Stockport, bringing jobs and opportunities closer
New housing developments – homes available to meet the needs & aspirations of all residents
key business location – developments in progress to ensure that Stockport can continue to build its position as a key business location
The local Council are only too aware that they have to become financially independent and self-sufficient by 2020 when central government will cease to provide funding. Stockport Council have been planning for this for some years and are preparing to create opportunities to safeguard their position by investing in the town:
Stockport Exchange has been developed by, and is owned, by Stockport Council
The new Holiday Inn Express is owned by the Council
Aurora Business Park has been developed on previously derelict land providing (much needed) 10 industrial units ranging in size from 8,650 sq ft to 46,566 sq ft providing a total of 145,000 sq ft
Merseyway was purchased by Stockport Council in 2016 who have plans to regenerate the shopping centre and create a more attractive retail offering with a broader choice of High Street names
A new leisure area – Red Rock – is well underway off Princes Street providing a new cinema and a range of fashionable family eateries contributing to a revived evening economy.
Future developments include a MasterPlan for the rail station as the phased plans for HS2 start to unwind, including a link via Stockport, prior to the final phase being developed linking to Manchester Airport.
But there are still uncertainties to be resolved and agreed …
HS2 – how will this impact Stockport ?
Greater Manchester Spatial Framework –Brownfield First, but there is pressure to release greenbelt
Devolution & Election of Mayor for Greater Manchester – Elections 4th May
Key Challenge – By 2020 Greater Manchester should be self-reliant: contributing to national wealth rather than needing government help
Greater Manchester now has the powers to grow its economy and ensure all it’s citizens share in that prosperity. Stockport is taking great steps to ensure that the town and the borough of Stockport are in a strong position to embrace the future with confidence, for everyone.
Helen White – co-founder of Marketing Stockport