Bold and vibrant images will be appearing on several shops units within Stockport town centre’s historic area over the coming weeks.
The result of work by the Portas Pilot Delivery Group and Stockport Council, the vinyls reveal the potential that vacant units offer, and how shops could once again be transformed into thriving businesses.
The historic area of the town centre around the Underbanks and Market Place is an important part of Stockport. Rich in local heritage, the area is home to many successful independent and niche retailers. Shoppers frequently comment how much they enjoy visiting the area to shop and attend events, and that the diversity and character they find there are unique to Stockport. The vinyl project will show investors how their business could unlock the potential of shop units and see them benefitting from locating in this unique area of Stockport town centre.
The vinyls have a real connection to the town with images of famous Stopfordians appearing within the design for the ‘Old Town Tavern’.
Stockport icons from music, sport and TV appear as artwork on the walls including Dame Joan Bakewell, Fred Perry and the 1950s Hollywood star Sabrina. Also featured on the design are political pioneers Richard Cobden and John Bright, cultural siblings Paul and Carol Morley, and bands 10cc and Blossoms, who represent Stockport’s musical past and future.
Joe Barratt, Chair of the Portas Pilot Delivery Group, commented: “Like a lot of people, I want to see the Underbanks come alive with new people and new businesses. To do that, it’s critically important that we address the problem of empty units that currently exists on our high streets. This project does exactly that, and I’m looking forward to seeing businesses decide to invest in Stockport Old Town.
“We felt it was very important to root the designs in Stockport’s history and show new businesses that they wouldn’t just be opening up a shop, they’d be becoming part of a community.”
Work is taking place across Stockport, as the Council and its partners invest in the future of the borough making it an even better place to live, work and visit through the Investing in Stockport programme. The growth of the Underbanks and Market Place area is an important part of this work and investment over the coming years will ensure that the area builds on its strengths and grows.
Councillor Patrick McAuley, Executive Member for Thriving Economy at Stockport Council commented: “The eye catching and colourful designs of the vinyls are a great addition to these shops in our town centre and highlight the potential that vacant units in the town centre hold. Whilst the vinyls are fantastic I want to see these replaced with thriving businesses. This is an exciting time for Stockport as work on our Investing in Stockport programme continues. I would encourage business owners to find out more about how they can benefit from this and from everything that the historic areas and our town offers.“
To find out more about the Growth work taking place through Investing in Stockport visit http://www.stockport.gov.uk/investingingrowth
Information about Stockport’s Old Town is available online at http://www.stockportoldtown.co.uk/
