After significant interest from vintage goods traders, and building on the success of the award-winning monthly Vintage Village Fairs, Stockport Council has recently signed a lease to open a new vintage retail centre in Stockport Market Place.
20th Century Stores, located in the former Sam’s Bar at 26-27 Market Place and 1-7 Park Street, will be a ground floor retail centre housing specialist traders offering high-quality vintage goods and retail business opportunities for start-up traders.
The Stockport Market team will relocate two traders from Room at the Top in the Produce Hall into this ground floor location, and they will be joined by new vintage goods traders. Room at the Top will expand its existing book, record and art offer in what was Stockport’s first free library.
20th Century Stores will initially be open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 5pm, and on the second Sunday of each month to coincide with the Vintage Village Fairs.
Alan Lowe, of The Vintage Village Ltd, said:
“Paul Downs, Stockport Market manager, and I have put in a lot of time and effort into project managing this new venture, and I’m delighted to see it finally come to fruition. 20th Century Stores will seal Stockport’s growing reputation as a vintage hotspot, and add to the specialist retail offer in the Old Town area.”
The new 20th Century Stores is part of a programme to improve Stockport Market, which began in April 2013 and is supported by contributions from the Portas Pilot fund.
Matthew Kershaw, from the Portas Pilot Project Delivery Group, said:
“The Stockport Portas Pilot Delivery Group is delighted that 20th Century Stores is now up and running. It was a key part of our initial proposal for the Portas Pilot, helping to cement the strong vintage offer that gives Stockport Old Town something unique that you can’t get in every shopping centre. We would like to recognise the fantastic work that has been done to make this vision a reality, and are happy to have been able to do our bit to support the project.”
This move accentuates Stockport Council’s commitment to improve the town centre through the Investing in Stockport programme, which is also working to encourage new businesses into the area.
Councillor Patrick McAuley, Stockport Council’s Executive Member for Economic Development & Regeneration, says:
“I’m delighted local businesses like 20th Century Stores and Room at the Top are helping us unlock the new shopping day experience that Stockport has on offer. Stockport Old Town is fast becoming the fashionable place to hangout, shop and take in the day. With vintage goods, the Produce Hall and Market Hall, and with £7 million more investment guaranteed it’s exciting times ahead for Stockport Old Town.”
For more information on 20th Century Stores visit https://www.facebook.com/20thcenturystores
For more information on Investing in Stockport visit www.stockport.gov.uk/investinginstockport
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