Stockport College students bring mural to Stockport Exchange

Town centre business hub, Stockport Exchange, has welcomed a colourful new addition: a mural produced in collaboration with students from nearby Stockport College.

The students were given a brief by Stockport Exchange partners, Stockport Council and national urban regeneration company, Muse Developments, as well as managing agents CBRE, to produce a design centred on the theme of sustainability. The artwork’s installation coincides with the start of construction of phase 4 of the development, set to bring 1 million sq ft of commercial space to the town centre as part of the Council’s £1 billion regeneration efforts.

The students not only had to come up with a design, they were also responsible for the overall project management including health and safety, risk assessment, a commitment to sustainable working practices and obtaining all the necessary permits to install the artwork.

The theme was selected based on the success of the giant Mount Rushmore-style sculpture of the G7 leaders’ heads, made entirely of discarded electronics and created by musicMagpie, one of the tenants at Stockport Exchange, to highlight the growing problem of e-waste during the G7 summit in Cornwall in 2021; after being unveiled in Carbis Bay, the sculpture was re-assembled in Stockport outside musicMagpie’s offices during the summer, before moving on to its permanent home at the Eden Project.

A panel comprising of representatives from Stockport Council, Muse and CBRE selected the preferred design and worked with them to take their ideas forward to create the striking mural now on display. The installation now takes pride of place on a site that is visible by pedestrians walking through Stockport Exchange.

Cllr Colin MacAlister, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration at Stockport Council, said:

“Stockport Exchange has gone from strength to strength, attracting major businesses and establishing itself as one of the North West’s most popular and accessible business hubs. Phase 4 is now underway due to increasing demand for high quality office accommodation.

“The mural looks fantastic and is a colourful addition to Stockport Exchange. Hopefully the project has enhanced the students understanding of Stockport Exchange’s sustainability credentials.”

Tom Webber Senior Development Surveyor at Muse Developments, said:

“Addressing the climate emergency is a priority at Muse, which is why we’re taking major steps with our partners to delivering sustainable development within the built environment, while also inspiring in the next generation of environmentally-conscious property professionals to start a career in the sector.

“This stunning mural, which will take pride of place within our Stockport Exchange scheme, raises awareness to all of the importance of sustainability and we’re absolutely delighted with the results. A massive well done to all involved.”

Cameron Steward, Art and Design Lecturer at Stockport College, said:

“Having the opportunity to work with the council and on a large scale mural has been an excellent opportunity for the Level 4 Design & Illustration students, giving them a sense of how a live brief is undertaken from concept to execution. The three students have conducted themselves in a professional manner, from meeting council members on site, to submitting designs and communicating throughout the project. The final installation reflects their hard work and their ethos in being part of a sustainable Stockport.”

Phase 4 of construction of Stockport Exchange, set to be one of the North-west’s most accessible business hubs, began this year after being brought forward thanks to £4.2 million of funding from the government’s Getting Building Fund. Evergreen funding through GMCA will also be used for solar PV panels on the rooftops of buildings. EV charging points and a green wall on a planned car park will also help mitigate the development’s environmental impact in line with Stockport’s Climate Action Now commitments.