MARY PORTAS VISITS STOCKPORT AND MEETS THE PIONEERING TOWN TEAM

Mary Portas has been enjoying the sights and sounds, and tastes, of Stockport during a recent visit to the town.

Portas, who carried out an independent review of high streets, visited Stockport to learn about exciting developments in the town following its selection as a ‘Portas Pilot’ last year. She was welcomed to the borough with a “Stockport Hamper” – a selection of the very best food and drink Stockport has to offer –  and a special ‘Portas cake’ all from the local market and shops.

Town Team committee member Corin Bland (centre) and market trader Kylie Wales (right) present Mary Portas (left) with a Stockport Hamper and special ‘Portas cake’.

Stockport was awarded £100,000 as part of its successful Portas Pilot bid. £100,000 was also contributed by the Government’s High Street Innovation Fund and a further £100,000 from the Council. The Town Team – made up of retailers, businesses, voluntary groups, market traders and residents – was created to generate ideas and shape the future of the town centre.

Ms Portas met with members of the Town Team, who gave her a tour of the town centre, including the historic Market and Underbanks area. She also visited the town’s landmark 1930s super cinema and variety theatre, The Stockport Plaza, to see one of the Portas projects in action.

The Plaza was awarded £20,000 by the Town Team towards the installation of a new digital projector. This allows the cinema to show independent films, operas and ballet and develop a new arts programme, ultimately attracting new audiences and increasing footfall in the town centre.

Chair of Stockport Town Team and President of the National Market Traders Federation Stockport branch, John O’ Mara, said: “It’s been a great honour to welcome Mary Portas to Stockport and show her the fantastic things we have to offer. It’s been really helpful to learn from her expertise and experience – it can only make our Town Team stronger.

“The Portas Pilot has definitely given the town centre a boost. There’s a real buzz around the place, with exciting events happening and 29 new independent shops opening over the past year.”

Stockport Town Team is encouraging anyone with a good idea to improve the town centre to apply for funding. Application packs are available to download from www.stockport.gov.uk/portaspilot

For more information or to join the Town Team, email towndistrictcentres@stockport.gov.uk

Join the conversation on Twitter using #SKportaspilot and on Facebook by joining the Stockport Town Team group.