Stockport Council has started the selection process for interested parties to take a lease(s) on the Grade 2 listed Produce Hall and 28/29 Market Place in Stockport town centre.
Being offered either jointly or individually, leasehold offers are being invited from operators who have a vision to transform the buildings into must visit destinations.
This is an exciting opportunity for restaurant, bar or event operators to join Stockport’s historic Market Place, which is anchored by the town’s famous Covered Market Hall. This comes as the Council’s £7 million investment work in the area continues to gather momentum.
Running from 28th July – 15th September 2017, the selection process asks interested parties to set out their vision for the buildings and how this would inject vibrancy into the Market Place, whilst also requiring applicants to demonstrate the strength of their business case and the long-term financial viability of their ideas. A decision about the final operators will be made in the autumn, and will be based solely on the strength of applications.
To support applicants, Stockport Council is offering free business planning support to all interested parties through the Business Growth Hub, making professional and impartial advice available to everyone interested in the opportunities.
Councillor Kate Butler, Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “Our Market Place is a unique and amazing place and as a Council we’re working hard to maximise the opportunities available in the area for visitors and businesses. We want to ensure the buildings we own play a key role in this. The selection process we’ve just launched gives all interested parties the opportunity to submit a detailed and comprehensive business case and plans for either or both the Produce Hall and 28/29 Market Place. Submissions will be assessed on the quality of the offer, as well as their financial sustainability.”
Stockport Council is investing time and money into the Market Place and Underbanks to regenerate the area, with more than 50 independent businesses supported; an events programme launched in the area; as well as an additional £1.8million of funding secured for the Underbanks from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Alongside this, Stockport Council remains committed to helping Stockport Market succeed and specialist operators have been brought in to manage the market on an interim basis. In the autumn, this commitment will be further reinforced as the Council retenders the operation and management of the covered Market Hall for the next five years.
To find get the full information about the Produce Hall and 28/29 Market Place please email growthteam@stockport.gov.uk.
