Stockport reflects on first decade of town centre transformation

After a decade since launching its £1 billion transformation of Stockport town centre, the UK’s largest town centre regeneration project, Stockport Council reflects on the changes that have taken place.

Stockport is in the middle of the UK’s largest town centre regeneration – and whilst much of the visible change has come in the past decade, the journey began much earlier. Strategic decisions taken almost 20 years ago laid the groundwork for the cranes, construction and cultural revival people see today. From a new transport interchange with a roof-top park to award-winning public spaces, hundreds of new homes, thriving independent streets and a cultural offer to rival cities, the town has transformed at a pace few places can match. What was once in decline is now one of the most ambitious and fast-growing town centres in the country.

In 2015, Stockport town centre was at a crossroads. High Streets across the UK were beginning to struggle—and Stockport was no exception.  Flagship stores were closing, historic streets had fallen quiet, and despite excellent rail connections, the heart of the town felt disconnected. Businesses were hesitant. Investment was drying up. Momentum had stalled. 

Back in early 2016, a short video documented the first stirrings of Stockport’s regeneration – the cranes moving in, the first walls rising, the buzz of a town preparing for change. It was a moment full of promise. Nearly a decade later, the scale of transformation across the town centre is unmissable – and the ambitions from that video have not just been realised, they have been surpassed.   

Fast forward to today, and the story could not be more different. Stockport’s skyline – and story – have transformed beyond recognition. Once defined by empty units and underused land, the town now stands at the heart of one of the most ambitious urban renewal projects in the UK, winning national awards and recognition as one of The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Live.

Cllr Mark Roberts, Leader of Stockport Council, said:

“While so much of what people can see today has taken shape over the past decade, the truth is Stockport’s regeneration story began much earlier. Nearly 20 years ago, the Council and our partners made bold decisions to invest in the town centre, take control of key sites, and set a long-term vision for transformation. 

“Back then, the choice was simple: accept decline or be ambitious for something better. We chose ambition – and we’ve stuck to it through successive administrations and changing economic conditions. That consistency of purpose is why we’re now seeing such visible results. 

“We’ve transformed tired and underused spaces into vibrant destinations. We’ve restored pride in our historic areas, brought new homes and jobs into the heart of the town, and created the kind of place where people want to spend time. 

“Everything we’re doing – whether it’s repurposing spaces, supporting high streets, or attracting investment – is about creating a Stockport that works for everyone. While the transformation is focused on the town centre in delivering the most sustainable development, this work is important to the whole borough in building a strong sense of place and pride. 

“There’s still work to do, but we’ve shown what’s possible when local leadership stays ambitious, determined, and focused on the long term.”  

Bold moves, early wins

One of the earliest milestones came in 2015 with the start of construction on?Redrock—a bold £45 million leisure scheme built on the former Bridgefield Street Car Park. Opening in 2017, Redrock brought in a 10-screen?Light Cinema, restaurants, cafés, and a major multi-storey car park. The goal was clear: to give people a reason to stay in the town centre into the evening. Despite some early debate over its design, Redrock quickly became a popular destination, boosting the evening economy and supporting surrounding businesses.

The Light Cinema has played a key role in this success. Offering mainstream blockbusters alongside indie films and live screenings, it has become a cornerstone of Stockport’s growing leisure offer. Following the success of the cinema, the Light expanded its offer and opened a bowling alley and entertainment venue in 2022, alongside a cafe and bar. Stockport remains the group’s best performing cinema nationally, with growing footfall every year and a loyal customer base.  

Nicola Wood, The Light Cinema Business Manager, said:

“In the past 12 months we’ve seen a rapid increase in profitability of the business and The Light entertainment model is continuing to deliver exciting results. Cinema admissions for The Light Stockport are up 10% year-on-year.” 

Stockport’s own business district

Meanwhile, the transformation of the town’s biggest gateway was well underway. In?September 2015, work began on the second phase of?Stockport Exchange – a joint venture between the council and?Muse Developments – following a successful first phase. Built next to the railway station, the area has become a thriving business hub featuring a 115-bed?Holiday Inn Express, Grade A offices, a new public square, which provides a welcoming setting for visitors arriving to the town from the station, and it has its very own padel court. Today it’s home to leading businesses including musicMagpie,?Stagecoach, BASF and Indurant. The once underused land is now a symbol of the town’s ambition, offering top-tier workspace in one of the best-connected locations in the north west. 

Simon Brownbill, Partner at HURST, said:

“The regeneration of Stockport town centre has been a game changer for us as a business. Being based at Stockport Exchange gives us a real edge – we’re in a premium, modern location with excellent transport links, but without the costs and congestion of the city centre. It’s a strong differentiator when it comes to attracting both clients and talent. There’s a real sense of ambition and investment in the town now, and we’re proud to be part of that.” 

Reimagining the high street 

On the back of this success and with momentum well under way, the council took control of Merseyway?in 2016, a move that allowed Stockport to take ownership of its own future. Rather than trying to simply fill empty shops, the council reimagined what a town centre should be—diversifying space and bringing in new uses. The former M&S building became?STOK, a striking office development attracting major employers, and above Merseyway, the?Merseyway Innovation Centre, opened in 2023, providing modern, flexible workspace for local startups and creative businesses.? 

Stockroom, which opened in May this year in former retail space, has been transformed into a vibrant new venue that blends learning, culture, performance, and play. It includes a modern additional town centre library, children’s creative play and learning space, Stockport’s historical archives, a café bar, Stockroom Studios, and welcoming spaces to relax and connect. The opening weekend saw record-breaking visitor numbers, and the trend has continued with more than 250,000 visitors passing through its doors in the first 10 weeks.

A transport hub with a park on top

Connectivity has also improved dramatically. The opening of the?new Stockport Interchange?in 2024 replaced a tired bus station with a modern transport hub seamlessly connected to the town centre via a striking new pedestrian and cycling route and elevated two-acre green park. This project not only reconnected key parts of the town—it helped lay the groundwork for thousands of new homes being built across the town centre, with more to come through the?Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), which was set up in 2019 to lead the transformation of Stockport town centre, focused on accelerating delivery and working closely with both the council and partners to achieve this. 

With an emphasis on new homes, employment opportunities and sustainable transport, the MDC is supporting Stockport’s housing needs and improving the vitality of the town centre, creating more choices for people to live, work and socialise. 

Today, more than 1,200 new homes have been delivered, with another 1,500 in the pipeline to meet Stockport’s growing demand, along with 170,000 sq ft of Grade A office space. These high-quality homes and state-of-the-art workspaces are being developed alongside active travel routes and public realm, creating new neighbourhoods with community at their heart. 

Historic spaces revived

The?historic Underbanks, once unloved and in a state of decline, has become a thriving destination for independents, with bars, bakeries, vintage shops and creative spaces now filling previously empty units. Once dubbed “the new Berlin,” the area has been lovingly restored and is buzzing once again, following a £7 million investment by the council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as well as strong partnerships being forged with developers, local businesses and the community. Stockport Market, long cherished by the community, now attracts a new generation of visitors to sample its traditional and artisan goods.  

Jon Dootson, owner of Alfredo’s and The White Lion, said:

“Thanks to the success of my first two businesses in the Underbanks, I’m now opening a third. The area is thriving, with valuable support from the council and a growing network of passionate, independent business owners.  There’s real energy in the area, and it’s only getting better.” 

Events, culture and profile 

Footfall is being driven not just by retail, but by a year-round calendar of events. Krazy Races, Foodie Friday and the Day of Dance have drawn record crowds. Stockport’s streets and historic backdrops are also attracting major film and TV productions, with the borough being hailed as the ‘Hollywood of the North’, boosting both profile and spend in the local economy. Stockport town centre has also welcomed a growing collection of street art and murals, including works by world-renowned street artists. These creative additions add colour and interest to the streets, creating a lively backdrop that enhances the town’s character.

The next chapter 

One of the most ambitious projects in Stockport’s regeneration journey is Stockport 8 – a joint venture between the Council and the private sector – which has just been granted planning permission.  

It’s a brand-new walkable and sustainable neighbourhood, located right next to the historic viaduct and Interchange. Spanning eight acres, the site will deliver around 1,300 high-quality and energy-efficient homes with a mix of tenures available, including apartments of different sizes to rent, home ownership, accessible and adaptable housing, as well as affordable properties.  

The area will also promote connectivity with the creation of public squares and green spaces, where residents can come together to relax and socialise, along with attracting leisure facilities and businesses. 

But Stockport isn’t stopping there. When the MDC first started, their vision was to deliver 4,000 new homes with a focus on transforming brownfield land, providing a mixture of homes that cater for all stages of life, complemented with a million square feet of employment opportunities.  

Next up for the MDC is plans to extend their boundary to deliver another 4,000 homes over the next 15 years, totalling 8,000, along with ambitions to secure new social infrastructure such as new education facilities and a health hub to support Stockport’s growing town centre population.   

Momentum is also building on transport. In June, the government and the GM Mayor confirmed backing for Metrolink to Stockport — unlocking greener travel choices, stronger connections, and new possibilities for residents and businesses. With the award-winning Stockport Interchange already built to be ‘Metrolink ready’, the town is prepared for its next leap forward. 

Cllr Mark Roberts, added: “We’ve always said:

“’Next Stop Stockport’ is more than a slogan — it’s a statement of intent. Stockport’s story shows that towns can take charge of their future, and we can’t wait to see what the next ten years brings to our borough.”