Packed launch weekend planned for new town centre creative hub, Stockroom

Stockroom, a brand-new creative and community venue in Stockport town centre, will open on 24th May with a packed launch weekend of exhibitions, performances and workshops.

The space, which repurposes disused retail units in the Merseyway Shopping Centre following support from the government’s Future High Streets Fund, offers a serious boost to Stockport’s burgeoning cultural scene and is a key development in the town centre’s £1 billion transformation.

From day one, Stockroom will be buzzing with activity, with headline exhibitions, workshops, residencies, and public art designed to celebrate local talent and welcome everyone through the doors.

Cllr Helen Foster- Grime, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport at Stockport Council, said:

“Stockroom is a bold new chapter for Stockport – a place where creativity and community come together under one roof. We’ve got a fantastic opening line-up with something for everyone – whether you’re here for an art exhibition, a toddler session, a comedy night or just a coffee with friends. Stockroom belongs to everyone.”

Opening highlights include:

• Chosen Family Album
  A community photo exhibition celebrating Stockport families from 1970 (when Merseyway first opened) to today.
• PROTO: A Digital Art Showcase
  Futuristic, screen-based works created by artists exploring motion capture, 3D modelling, and worldbuilding.
• Emotional Biodiversity (10 July – 21 September 2025)
  A moving installation by international artist Di Mainstone, developed with local residents, about our emotional connection to nature. Pictured below.

Stockroom will also feature a series of new creative commissions designed to celebrate the town’s unique heritage, community and creative talent. From large-scale murals, installations and eco-friendly art commission – all rooted in Stockport’s stories, people and environment.

Photographic artist Liz Wewiora will also be in residence this summer, leading Roam, River, Roam, a project connecting local families – especially new mums – with the River Mersey and our surrounding waterways.

Coming this Autumn, BEAUTIFUL THINGS will be a six-month-long programme across Stockport to celebrate Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery’s Centenary, built by subscription by the people of Stockport as a place to experience beauty after the horrors of war.

Beyond art, upcoming events coming to Stockroom and the wider town centre to note include:

• Stock Party – 7 June: A free, all-day street festival celebrating Stockport’s thriving indie scene.
• SHORTS by NOT LONG – 2 August: A new night out with short plays, local talent, and a big afterparty.
• HALA HALA – 29 June: A celebration of Arabic and South Asian music, dance, food, and culture.
• Stockport Zine & Print Fair – 14 June: Stalls, talks, and hands-on zine-making.
• Creative Women in Stockport – First Wednesdays: Networking and Q&A events, kicking off with director Carol Morley.
• FAM JAM (Various dates – see website)
  Family music jamming sessions for disabled people and their friends. Run by Omni Music, using accessible instruments and supported by SEND music specialists. Four events yearly.

Stockroom will also host events tied to important civic and cultural dates – from Armed Forces Day and Windrush Day, to Pride, VJ Day, and the Festival of Libraries. A full programme is available from the Stockroom website.