Social Osteria to bring a taste of Italy to Weir Mill

The team behind Poynton’s The Social Trattoria will bring a new concept to Stockport’s new riverside community, Weir Mill, which is being brought to life by Capital&Centric.

The restaurant, Social Osteria, is the first of a line-up of indie operators to be announced for Weir Mill, and will open in Spring in the East Mill – a 2,000 sq ft spot with exposed brickwork, vaulted ceilings and an original kiln retained within the space. Outside, a sunken courtyard to the front and riverside seating overlooking the River Mersey make it the perfect setting for alfresco aperitivos in the sunshine.

An osteria is traditionally an Italian inn or tavern, somewhere locals gather for good wine and simple, honest food at communal tables. At Weir Mill, that translates to low lighting, small plates, fresh pizzas, and traditional pasta – a place to take your time and unwind after work.

The Social Trattoria – the Poynton go-to founded by Will Okill, Jeremy Alexander, and Daniel Barron – was named best Trattoria at the Italian Awards UK 2025 and is up for four more this year. For the team, Italian food runs in the family, with cooking rooted in traditional methods passed down through the generations and brought to life using fresh ingredients. The Social Osteria will bring that same philosophy to Stockport town centre, wowing modern palates with classic Italian techniques.

It’s a natural fit for Capital&Centric, who’ve taken the same approach to Weir Mill itself – embracing the character of the historic mill and turning it into a buzzing community.

Tom Wilmot, Joint Managing Director at Capital&Centric said:

“Landing Social Osteria is a big deal for Weir Mill. An award-winning team with proper indie credentials choosing to set up here shows where this neighbourhood is heading. Picture finishing work, grabbing an aperitivo on the river, tucking into pasta, before heading up to your apartment. That’s the kind of place we’re creating.

“With Social Osteria now signed up, and with more set to be announced soon, we’re starting to see it all coming together. Weir Mill’s set to be Stockport’s new destination for food and drink.”

Will Okill, Co-Founder of Social Osteria said:

“You can’t help falling in love with this building, and that’s what happened when I walked into Weir Mill. It was stripped back to its bare bones, but the atmosphere was already there, you could feel the character. And then the outdoor space overlooking the river sealed it. As soon as I saw it, I could picture what we’d create here.

“We’re all about taking traditional Italian cooking and making it fresh for today – everything from scratch and using locally-sourced ingredients wherever we can. Stockport’s indie food scene is booming and we can’t wait to be part of it.”

Cllr Micheala Meikle, cabinet member for regeneration, skills and economy, said:

“The award-winning team behind Social Osteria choosing Weir Mill is a real statement of confidence in Stockport. An exciting new independent will add to the growing sense of place and community that’s developing here, and we can’t wait for this spot to become a place to eat, meet friends and family, and enjoy a different side of the town. 

“This is exactly what regeneration should deliver: new jobs, strong independents and more reasons for people to spend time in our town centre, while keeping the character that makes Stockport what it is. Investment of this quality shows the direction we’re heading and the momentum we’re building so Stockport continues to be a vibrant place for residents, visitors, and thriving businesses alike.” 

Set beneath Stockport’s iconic viaduct, the £60m Weir Mill neighbourhood will be home to 253 rental apartments alongside buzzing indie cafés, bars and restaurants, plus green spaces and riverside hangouts throughout.

It’s all part of Stockport’s £1 billion Town Centre West masterplan, adding to the town’s growing rep as one of the best places to live in the UK – tipped by the Sunday Times for two years running.