New Innovation Centre planned for Stockport’s Merseyway

Stockport Council have announced vacant space on the upper floors of Merseyway Shopping Centre are to be transformed into a new innovation centre, bringing flexible serviced office and co-working space into the heart of the town centre.

One complete, the hub is expected to provide accommodation for up to 50 small businesses in the heart of the town centre.

The Merseyway Innovation Centre (MIC) will see the first floor of the former Next unit, and the adjacent Metro Gym site converted into a 15,000 sq ft hub for start-up businesses and entrepreneurs. With a mixture of flexible serviced office and co-working accommodation, the centre will support fledgling and small businesses with their growth plans in a centrally located, flexible and inspirational environment. Facilities will include:

• Business lounge – a meeting area, providing opportunities for collaboration and development of the MIC business community
• Co-working space – bookable desks for small and micro businesses or individuals working remotely. A first step for growing a new business
• Business units – shared and individual offices with between one and four desks per office, aimed at new and young businesses requiring “incubation” space and support
• Grow on space aimed at more established businesses with between 4 and 10 employees
• Meeting rooms
• All customers will also have access to business support and a programme of workshops and networking opportunities delivered from the centre
• Ultra-fast broadband

Due to open in Summer 2023, creation of the Merseyway Innovation Centre forms part of Stockport Council’s investment in regenerating and diversifying the town centre, attracting new users and repurposing disused retail spaces. The scheme follows in the footsteps of the ongoing delivery of a new town centre library and community hub, dubbed StockRoom, also in former retail units in the shopping precinct.

The centre will also complement existing council facilities at Stockport Business Innovation Centre in Broadstone Mill and Merchants House in the Market Place.

Cllr Colin MacAlister, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said:

“We have a thriving business community in Stockport but this will strengthen our offer and provide that all important support for new and small businesses, providing everything they need for their business to grow and prosper.

“The improvements we are making to the wider Merseyway Shopping Centre will further enhance the area and the new Transport Interchange just across the road will make it even more accessible, allowing more people to take advantage of the fantastic facilities and all our town centre has to offer.”

Stockport Council have also confirmed the appointment of locally-based contractor, TMT Commercial Contractions to deliver the project alongside their local supply chain.

TMT will track carbon emissions to and from site and collect data from waste removal to target less than 0.5% to landfill. Further added value from the project will see TMT spend 80 hours voluntary time to support local community projects, make donations to local sports teams and assist Stockport Women’s centre in the refurbishment of some of their space used to support local women.

Work will include the construction and fit out, as well as renovation work to the façade.

Tom Traynor at TMT Commercial Contracts Ltd said:

“This is a hugely exciting opportunity for our company, it’s a privilege to be working with Stockport Council on this project. All three of our company directors are from Stockport so it is great to see the investment within the town centre, and to be able to play a small part in the improvements, coupled with the social value aspect of the project is allowing us to give back to our local community, which is something we are truly passionate about.”

The delivery of the Merseyway Innovation Centre has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Government funds and Stockport Council. Support from the Arts Council England’s Cultural Development Fund will enhance the digital creative offer.

Once open in Summer 2023, the business hub will be managed on behalf of the Council by Oxford Innovation.