The Sunday Times has given a glowing recommendation of Stockport after naming the borough in its ‘best and up and coming areas to invest in’ list for 2022.
The leading national newspaper named the town in its annual list that was published on Sunday, June 19.
When describing the best places in the North West, the article said: “It’s partly by accident as Manchester’s most interesting people desert the increasingly corporate city centre to outer suburbs in search of family houses, fresh air and better places than Piccadilly Gardens to walk the dog. It’s also part of a plan, championed by the Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, to create town centres good enough to rival the city, with the same quality of homes and amenities, but at much lower prices.
“The best example so far is Stockport, only 15 minutes from central Manchester by train, and already a magnet for interesting independent businesses such as the much-lauded restaurant Where the Light Gets In, the indie bookshop Rare Mags and the Produce Hall food market.
“The imminent conversion of the beautiful Weir Mill, next to the Mersey, and the iconic railway viaduct by the leading Manchester “social impact” developer Capital & Centric into flats, shops and public spaces is the highlight of a £1 billion regeneration that will transform a historic centre that’s already looking like one of the coolest little corners of the country.”
The article also features Sophia Barrese, who grew up in the town and moved back five years ago, opening the vintage boutique ‘Top of the Town’ on Lower Hillgate last year. “Stockport was lacking a bit of love, but the historic buildings are coming back to life and there’s a cool set of people. It’s going to be like the Northern Quarter used to be — a place to browse and a destination,” she added.
Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “National recognition like this shows that Stockport is going places.
“The town centre is seeing more than a £1billion of investment, with the creation of Stockport 8, a brand-new town centre neighbourhood that will make up part of the Stockport MDC, the development of Stockport Interchange, and as the article mentions, the restoration of Weir Mill.
“These are really exciting times for Stockport, and all this investment will boost the growth of the town centre, which will in turn, create modern, innovative spaces that will celebrate the town’s rich history and unique character.”
