Opening date revealed for newest cultural landmark, Stockroom

Stockport Council has confirmed that Stockroom, a new £14.5 million cultural hub and library for the town centre, will open on 24th May 2025.

Located in previously disused retail units in Merseyway Shopping Centre, Stockroom is a key part of Stockport Council’s £1 billion transformation, and is designed to bring people together through culture, learning, and creativity. The scheme has been brought to life through funding from the Future High Streets Fund, that has sought to fund innovate projects to rejuvenate town centres across the country.

Once open, Stockroom will offer residents:

• A brand-new town centre library, offering a modern, welcoming space for reading, learning, and discovery.
• A dedicated children’s creative learning space, encouraging young imaginations to flourish through interactive  experiences.  Young people can learn new skills and benefit from cutting-edge learning and IT facilities.
• Stockroom Studios, a multi-purpose events space that will host a diverse year-round programme of activities.
• A café bar, perfect for catching up with friends or enjoying a quiet moment.
• Stockport’s historical archives, preserving the town’s rich heritage and making it accessible to all.

Stockroom will open with a major new exhibition, Chosen Family Album. Inspired by the joy of rediscovering old photos, the project invited the public to contribute family photographs from 1970 onwards—the same year Stockport’s iconic Merseyway Shopping Centre opened. The collection forms a shared Stockport family album, celebrating the diverse range of people and stories that make the town unique.

Also on display will be a series of creative commissions, bringing fresh and exciting public art into the space. These commissions celebrate Stockport’s heritage, community, and creative talent, featuring large-scale murals, interactive installations, and innovative works using sustainable materials.

Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said:

“The anticipation has been building, and we are absolutely thrilled to share the opening date for Stockroom. This is a key milestone in Stockport’s £1bn regeneration plans, and we’re so proud to see it come to fruition.

“Stockroom will not only offer an exciting cultural hub for the town but will play a central role in the ongoing revitalisation of the town centre. This project has been years in the making, and we can’t wait to see it open its doors and become a space that truly brings our community together.”

Cllr Helen Foster – Grime, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Sport, said:

“Stockroom marks a new chapter for Stockport—one that celebrates our heritage while embracing creativity and innovation. This space belongs to everybody in Stockport, bringing people together through culture, learning, shared experiences, and fun.

“We are particularly excited about the new exhibition, Chosen Family Album, which reflects the diverse stories of our town. Stockroom will offer something for all ages and I’m looking forward to seeing how the community and visitors will use and enjoy it in the years to come.”

Minister for Local Growth, Alex Norris, said:

“It is fantastic to hear Stockroom will be opening its doors in May, bringing the town’s vibrant community together to socialise and celebrate local creativity and culture.

“This marks another milestone moment in the council’s transformative work to the town centre and will support our national mission to boost growth and renewal across the country.”