Stockport has been recognised as one of the country’s best places for first time buyers to get on the property ladder by the Times newspaper.
The publication praised the town’s ‘spectacular transformation’ and its ‘reinvention as a funky alternative to Manchester’s hippest quarters.’
Stockport is one of 12 towns featured on the list of the most desirable towns and neighbourhoods for first time buyers to set up home.
The piece highlighted the variety of property available to first time buyers; from smaller red brick terraces to flats in mill conversions. It also noted the growing number of town centre properties being brought forward thanks to a £1 billion regeneration programme, which will see thousands of new homes created, with complementary amenities.
Stockport was also lauded for its excellent connectivity, being eight minutes from Manchester city centre by train, and two hours from central London and within easy reach of the Peak District National Park.
Several ambitious projects are currently underway in the town centre, all adding to Stockport’s great reputation as a fantastic place to live, work and visit.
Once complete, these will be a huge boost to the town’s economy and visitor experience. These include Stockroom, which will utilise former vacant shop units, supported by £14.5m from the Future High Streets Fund.
Stockroom will be an accessible, family friendly learning and discovery space in the heart of the town centre, as well a multi-use community space, designed to be welcoming for everyone.
A new transport interchange is also well underway. Along with a two acre roof top park, it will be home to 196 high quality residential apartments, a new bus station as well as a new walking and cycling bridge linking with Stockport train station and Stockport Exchange.
In further good news. Stockport was announced as Greater Manchester Town of Culture in May 2023. Since then, there has been a diverse range of projects and events taking place across the borough, supporting the four key pillars of the Town of Culture programme: Stockport Moves, Makes, Sounds and Tastes.
The Town of Culture programme has proved to be a great success with residents and visitors, with events such as the Tour of Britain, the return of the popular Art Battle Manchester to Stockport, and the La Boca to La Stocka projects all drawing the crowds, with a number of exciting events planned over the coming months.
Earlier this year, the town was also praised as being among the North-West’s best places to live, with its wide range of housing options and neighbourhoods and thriving hospitality scene being just some of the reasons for its success.
The Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide also complimented Stockport’s abundant green spaces, recognising it as an ‘up and coming’ destination and gearing up to become one of ‘the coolest little corners of the country.’
Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “To be recognised as one of the best places for first time buyers to set up home is high praise indeed and cements our reputation as a great place to live, work and visit.
“Our £1bn town centre regeneration programme will provide a vibrant, new family friendly neighbourhood with high quality new homes, modern facilities, attractive green spaces and all the benefits of the town centre nearby.
“The new transport interchange is really taking shape and due for completion next year and our improvements to Merseyway and the Underbanks are all putting Stockport on the map as a desirable place to call home.
“Our recent award as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture is also fantastic news for Stockport, enhancing our reputation as not only a great place to live but also having a great cultural offer, which can only strengthens our appeal.”
