Stockport is on the cusp of a major transformation, but locals say one thing in town still needs fixing
Residents say they would change one thing about Stockport high streets(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Stockport is a town on the brink of change. With the long-awaited Metrolink finally set to be extended to Stockport decades after the original tram network was ripped out, its future could be radically reimagined.
But ask people who live and work in the area what they’d most like to see improved and the answer is overwhelmingly clear.
The Manchester Evening News spoke to locals in the town centre – and nearly everyone said the same thing.
‘We need more shops’
John, 89, and Anne Embely, 78, from Bredbury said they rarely come into Stockport these days and only ventured into town for a new pair of glasses.
“Get some more shops. Let’s get some more shops in,” said Anne. “We used to come in regularly but we don’t bother now.”
In agreement, John added: “The shops like Marks and Spencer’s – we need those.”
John and Anne Embely rarely visit Stockport town centre anymore(Image: Manchester Evening News)
The couple was ironically pictured in front of the boarded-up Søstrene Grene, a popular Scandinavian retail chain set to open a new store at Stockport’s Merseyway Shopping Centre later this year.
Despite this upcoming addition, the town centre still struggles with a noticeable number of empty shops, with some areas more affected than others.
While parts of Stockport, such as the Underbanks, are undergoing revitalisation with new businesses, other parts of town face challenges with vacant units.
It’s a sentiment echoed by many, and even across generations. Cassie and Florence Hennel, 17-year-old twins who study at a local college, said they often go to Manchester instead when they want to shop.
The pair said they want more “high-end clothes”, with shops “better than Primark”, like Zara, Pull & Bear and Hollister.
Sophie Keeping, 29, who lives in the town centre and works as an eating disorder specialist, said the Underbanks and Market Hall areas are improving, but Stockport’s retail revival needs to go further.
Sophie Keeping says things are improving but more shops would be ‘nice'(Image: Manchester Evening News)
“Less closed shops,” she said. “We’re doing better round here [the Underbanks] and in the market, but it would be nicer to see more independent shops.”
Jenny Harwood, 43, who runs My Meadow Tree, a vintage shop in Stockport Market, agreed.
“They’re getting the nightlife back now and spending lots of money on that,” she said. “But we need more independent shops to welcome more people.”
Jenny Harwood owns a shop in The Stockport Market(Image: Manchester Evening News)‘It was better 20 years ago’
For others, the change they want is about restoring what once made Stockport special.
Gillian Water, 73, a retired retail worker visiting from Northampton, used to travel to Stockport once a week to see her mother.
“It was nice. It’s a bit dirtier and scruffier than I remember,” she said. “They need to posh it up a bit like they have with the bus station and bring named shops back in.”
“It was always a pleasure to come. This is the first time I’ve been since 2022 as I’m meeting my sister,” she added. “Take it back to what it was 20 years ago when it was a lot better.”
For Denis Holden, his vision for change is all about restoring the sense of community. The 55-year-old driver and owner of the Black and White Farm in Bredbury said: “I’d try and give the kids something. In my generation we had lads clubs and girl clubs.
“Now, unless it’s an illegal motorbike or scooter, it’s not seen as ‘trendy’ to do. We need to put things in the system for kids to do that aren’t illegal.”
He wants to see investment in outdoor youth spaces – from basketball courts to public gyms – to give the next generation a better outlet.
‘I love the way it is’
Not everyone is calling for change. Hina Iqbal, 35, moved to Stockport with her husband around 18 months ago. Originally from Pakistan, she now works in a call centre and says she wouldn’t change a thing.
“I love it the way it is,” she said. “Everything is perfect. We are happy here. We just want to get a house here and stay in Stockport.”
Hina Iqbal wouldn’t change a thing about Stockport(Image: Manchester Evening News)
As for the empty shops, efforts are underway to tackle the problem through various initiatives, like the £1bn town centre regeneration project that has so far seen the opening of Stockport Interchange, Viaduct Park and the new town centre hub Stockroom.
A recent review led by Reddish South Councillor James Frizzell highlighted the need for more variety in local high streets, which are often dominated by similar businesses. Stockport’s council leader and cabinet team agreed in March to explore these suggestions further.
With Stockport’s future already being redrawn, some residents have put forward more ambitious ideas for the town.
‘Reopen the river’
A recent Reddit thread sparked a lively debate on what should be changed to improve the town’s future.
One user, Apsilon, imagined reopening the River Mersey through Merseyway. They said: “If they bulldozed Mersey Square and reopened it, and then landscaped both sides with trees and bridges, it wouldn’t take long to create a really nice environment with a river as clean as a whistle.”
Others questioned the practicality of the idea. One user replied: “Opening up the river sounds like a nice idea, but remember when those mobikes were here? [People] would find a way to dam the whole Mersey with Asda trolleys and Primark bags.
“I also worry that it would smell and look horrible. It’s a nice idea, but I don’t think the river’s clean or fast flowing enough.”
While some are dreaming big – with bold ideas like moving the M60 and placing a giant hat atop of the Hat Museum’s chimney – it seems many residents just want a reason to come into town again. And that starts with the shops.