Stockport’s Secret Sauce: reinventing a town
When you think of thriving business hubs in the North West, Stockport may not be the first place that springs to mind. For years, this former industrial town just outside Manchester has struggled to shed its image, overshadowed by the bright lights and big money of its more glamorous neighbour.
Paul Richards, centre, on the first panel
But scratch beneath the surface, and you’ll find a place in the midst of a remarkable renaissance – one driven by a collaborative, can-do spirit and a refusal to accept decline. At the heart of Stockport’s transformation is Paul Richards, the council’s deputy chief executive, who has been the driving force behind a raft of ambitious regeneration projects.
“I think what’s enabled Stockport to amplify what it could have just returned to about the council, is that partnership,” Richards told a room of local business leaders this week. “It’s having those partners that are aligned with that vision, aligned with delivering and have helped drive forward what you see as you walk around the town center.”
This collaborative approach has been crucial, Richards explains, in unlocking Stockport’s potential. Rather than going it alone, the council has actively sought out private sector partners who share its long-term vision for the town. One such partner is Muse Developments, a national developer that has worked closely with Stockport on the transformation of Stockport Exchange over the past 15 years.
“When we started all that time ago, it wasn’t a particularly successful place,” says Joe Stockton from Muse. “It was dilapidated buildings, it was surface level car parking, but the place had all the ingredients to make it successful. Place, location, connectivity, the people, the community, the Council, a key part of that in terms of proactiveness and having a clear vision.”
By working in tandem with the council, Muse has helped to deliver three new office buildings, a hotel, and a car park at Stockport Exchange – a project that Stockton says has “transformed the place.” And the partnership is set to continue, with Muse now involved in the next major scheme, Stockport 8, which will focus on residential development.
Across town, and under the iconic viaduct, another developer, Capital & Centric, is also playing a key role in Stockport’s reinvention. The firm, which describes itself as a “social impact developer,” has taken on the challenge of unlocking the potential of the Weir Mill site, a former industrial building that had become a hotspot for antisocial behavior.
“Our involvement was about acquiring a difficult building. It was in poor condition. Probably most people in this room remember what it was like just a few years ago,” says Richard Spackman from Capital & Centric.
By working closely with the council, Capital & Centric has found a way to “celebrate the heritage” of the site while also kicking off wider regeneration in the area. It’s a project that Spackman says is all about “creating almost a gateway from the interchange in the town into that wider Southside west area.”
This focus on community and social impact is a thread that runs through much of Stockport’s regeneration. As Paul Richards explains, it’s not just about building shiny new developments, but about uplifting the prospects of existing residents and creating a truly mixed community.
[AuthorRecommendedPosts]“It’s really important that we never lose sight of the fact there is an existing community already in the town, and we never do any of this to them, but work with them,” he says. “Hence the the work we’ve been doing. But you know, even if we look around here, you see the fantastic product that Richard and the team are doing at Weir Mill but we’re also building new social homes alongside other forms of affordable homes.”
This commitment to inclusivity is echoed by Steve Bellis, the president of Stockport County Football Club. Bellis sees the club as playing a crucial role in the town’s social fabric, not just as a source of sporting entertainment, but as a hub for community engagement and education.
“We’re in every single Primary School. We’re in all the secondary schools delivering high quality education today. It’s an example of what the club can be and what a football club should be.”
This community-focused approach is something that resonates with local businesses too. Katie Hodson, from law firm SAS Daniels, says Stockport’s cultural renaissance has been a game-changer when it comes to attracting and retaining talent.
Katie Hodson and Steve Hoyles
Brian Bradley, from accountancy firm In Accountancy, agrees that Stockport’s growing cultural clout is a major asset. He points to initiatives like the Stockport Acorn Alliance, which aims to support smaller businesses in the borough, as examples of the collaborative spirit that is driving the town’s transformation.
“We’ve got some great people sat around our table at the Stockport Economic Alliance that can mentor those businesses. My ask, I guess, is for people to engage in that process and help those smaller businesses, because we need those businesses to flourish, as well as the larger businesses.”
This emphasis on supporting local enterprises is echoed by Steve Hoyles, who runs a gym in nearby Hazel Grove. Hoyles believes that Stockport’s independent spirit and sense of community are key to its future success.
For Hoyles, Stockport’s renaissance is about more than just shiny new developments – it’s about fostering a healthier, more connected community. He sees his gym as playing a vital role in that, not just as a place to work out, but as a hub for social interaction and wellbeing.
As the event draws to a close, it’s clear that Stockport’s transformation is about more than just bricks and mortar. It’s about harnessing the energy, creativity, and community spirit of the people who call this place home. With partners like Muse, Capital & Centric, and Stockport County FC leading the charge, the town is well on its way to shedding its old image and emerging as a thriving, vibrant hub – one that’s built on a foundation of collaboration, inclusivity, and a relentless drive to be the best version of itself.
SAS Daniels team
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