Muse prepares to start on Grand Central

MUSE Developments is preparing to start on site on the first phase of Stockport’s £145m Grand Central scheme.

The site, next to the town’s railway station, will include offices, a hotel and a multi-storey car park.

Stockport Council said preliminary work “will soon start” on the car park. A public exhibition is being held at the station from February 7-10 with details about the scheme and the temporary parking arrangements.

The 1,000 space car park, and a range of highway improvements, is to be completed at the beginning of 2014. The first commercial office building and the hotel will be part of phase two, to be completed by 2015, and phase three will see more buildings go up on a phased basis up to 2020.

Councillor Iain Roberts, executive member for economic development, said: “The transformation of Grand Central into a destination office quarter and attractive public space is vital to the future success of Stockport town centre.

“It will reconnect the train centre with the rest of the town centre, create a welcoming environment and bring jobs and investment to the area. We are doing everything we can to minimise disruption for businesses, commuters and visitors during construction and we appreciate their support during this time.”