What's On editor Jenna Campbell reports on Stockport town centre's renaissance
On the last Friday of every month, thousands of people descend on Stockport’s Old Town. Foodie Friday, the night out that feels a bit like a festival, features live music by the Victorian Market Hall and a strong line-up of food and drink traders - all of which adds to the night’s electric atmosphere.
“Stockport is always changing, I’ve always liked it, but I thought the council was a bit reluctant to let anybody do anything interesting in Stockport, but the brakes are off now.” “We hope you’ve noticed, but in case you haven’t, Stockport is changing”, reads a sign on Lower Hillgate, part of the Underbanks regeneration programme, which started over five years ago. Referred to by some as the ‘Soho of the North’ this corner of the town, spanning Little Underbank, Mealhouse Brow and Lower Hillgate, has changed considerably over the last five years and is often credited with breathing new life into the town.
“It’s just been so well received because so many things of a similar level have opened up around the same time and instantly helped each other. The old adage of ‘Stockport isn’t shit’ is actually true. That's generally what people used to think of the town centre, we didn’t have many nice bars or restaurants, and any shops were all very high street and all about the Merseyway.”
“So when this came up two years ago, it just felt right. I know it sounds a little corny but I do think it’s the magic of it, it’s such a beautiful area and there’s so much heritage. It’s a lovely place to have a business and all the people who work along here are very supportive of one another.” Speaking ahead of next week’s launch, Mark said he wanted to move the operation to Stockport because of its strong mix of like-minded businesses. “We wanted to be part of a community, and while Manchester City Centre has a dynamic and exciting energy, it also changes so quickly, which means it’s a bit difficult for a business to become part of the place and you have to keep reinventing yourself,” he explained.
Of course, the town’s burgeoning food scene has also played its part, not least Sam Buckley’s Where The Light Gets In. The foraged fine dining restaurant, which national critic Marina O’Loughlin said she would ‘cross continents to visit’, opened in a converted Victorian coffee warehouse on Rostron Brow in 2016 and successfully paved the way for the next generation.
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