Stockport Council are putting plans in place to ensure that Stockport Market Place has a bright future and to become the most popular place to visit in the region.
To achieve this vision, the Council will be attracting exciting new businesses into the historic and widely acclaimed Market Place that will bring visitors into the area every day of the week, and become a ‘must visit’ destination.
The Council owns a number of buildings in the area and will be using these to transform Stockport Market Place into an exciting and vibrant destination.
The Grade 2 listed Produce Hall and Blackshaw’s Café at 28/29 Market Place both have prominent positions in the Market Place. Stockport Council will be offering a lease for one or both of these buildings through a selection process beginning shortly.
The criteria for selection will be clearly set out as part of the application and will focus on the strength of the business case, as well as how businesses could inject vibrancy into the Market Place.
Councillor Kate Butler, Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration at Stockport Council, said:
“Shortly, the Council will launch a rigorous selection process giving all interested operators the opportunity to submit their detailed and comprehensive business cases and plans. These will all then be assessed on their offer, their financial sustainability as well as the enthusiasm and innovation they demonstrate. In order that we can ensure the success of the chosen tenant the winning bid will be chosen on the strength of the evidence presented within the submissions.”
The Council is working closely with the small number of businesses who may be directly impacted by the proposals, to support and assist them so that they have a successful future within Stockport.
Stockport Market Place and Underbanks are important parts of our town centre, which the Council is investing time and money into transforming. Our work has already seen an events programme launched in the area; specialist market operators brought in to manage Stockport Market and an additional £1.8million of funding secured for the Underbanks from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Add to this that the Council is investing £7million into the area and new businesses are continually moving into our workspace in Merchants House, bringing more office professionals into the Market Place every day.
If you would like to receive information about the opportunities as soon as they are available, please email your contact details to the growth team at Stockport Council