Stockport takes another Gigantic Leap forward

Remember the Stockport frogs? How could anyone forget Strawberry Frog proudly guarding the NatWest Banking Hall on Great Underbank? Or Midas providing a golden glow at the Peel Centre. Or Prince Regent, resplendent in his crown, guarding his ‘palace’ at Regent House.

In 2019, Stockport’s Giant Leap Frog Art Trail attracted thousands and thousands of new visitors, residents and families of all ages to the town centre. It was fantastic to see so many excited children (and big children) seeking out all 19 giant frogs on the trail, later to be joined by three visiting frogs!

In 2019, Stockport’s Business Improvement District’s frog trail was also a great opportunity for visitors to discover a newly invigorated town centre, buoyed by Stockport’s £1 billion programme of investment and regeneration. As Stockport continues to take gigantic steps to create a town centre for everyone to enjoy the frogs are coming back – only bigger, better and even more of them!

This summer’s Gigantic Leap Frog Art Trail 2021 will see 21 brand new, gigantic frogs hopping into Stockport town centre! And not only that, their frog buddies will be hopping to locations across the whole borough.

Stockport BID manager Paul Taylor is delighted the frogs will once again be hopping back into Stockport town centre:

“To say it’s been a difficult 12 months for everyone is the understatement of the decade! Having worked so hard over the past four years to promote all the great changes taking place here and encourage more people to visit the town centre more often, it’s been heart breaking to see so many businesses forced to close during lockdown and the centre all but deserted.

“But it’s time to plan for the reopening of the town centre and what better way than with another brilliant trail that’s even bigger and better than before! Stockport’s 2021 Gigantic Leap Frog trail will once again bring visitors, families of all ages, friends and organisations following the trail while discovering the many new businesses who have set up here, despite the best efforts of Covid!

“And, just like last time, businesses can get involved and sponsor a frog. This year all proceeds of the auction will be donated to St Ann’s Hospice.”

Lasting from the beginning of July until the end of September, Totally Stockport are not revealing all the details just yet. But you can keep up to date with their journey online – we may even give you a sneaky peek into the famous frog factory!  And any businesses interested in sponsoring a frog, please contact Totally Stockport.

Cllr David Meller, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said:

“I’m delighted that the frogs will be leaping back into Stockport! They certainly got everyone talking when they were last here, with people visiting from across Greater Manchester. 

“The fact that they will be seen throughout the borough for even more people to enjoy is even better and will, we hope, get people hopping around the borough to sample everything we have to offer.”