Work has started on the former Stockport Marks and Spencer building at Merseyway Shopping Centre, following the appointment of Austin Wilkinson Demolition (AWD), developers Glenbrook have confirmed.
The AWD team is now on site clearing and preparing the building for the main works programme to be completed in 2020.
Glenbrook is working alongside a design team including AEW Architects and Knutsford-based interior design studio, Incognito. The developers plan to transform the site into a mixed-use space, with office, leisure and retail offerings under a new brand to be launched early 2020.
Glenbrook acquired the 80,551 square foot building in October 2019 from Stockport Council. Marks and Spencer closed its Stockport branch in April 2018 as part of a round of store closures aimed at turning around the retailer’s fortunes. The building has lain vacant since the closure.
Chris Lloyd, Investment Director at Glenbrook, said:
We pledged to make a quick start on site following our acquisition of the building and we are pleased that AWD are now in place and that the strip out has commenced before the end of the year. This is the first step towards the re-positioning and re-energising the building.”
Councillor David Meller, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said of Glenbrook’s plans in September:
We’re really supportive of this new development by Glenbrook: it will be a great asset to our town centre and will also complement our recently announced plans to improve Merseyway.
“We continue to attract new investment to the town from high calibre developers such as Glenbrook. This new scheme will strengthen our town centre offer and fit alongside Stockport Exchange, Redrock, the Produce Hall and the number of new, independent businesses setting up home in our town centre.”
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