‘Learning hub’ plan for old department stores
THE former M&S and BHS stores at Stockport’s Merseyway shopping centre could be transformed into a ‘learning and knowledge’ hub’.
The ambitious ‘StockRoom’ project would see 135,000 sq ft of retail space around Adlington Walk turned into a ‘community and publicfacing services’ centre.
It is intended to provide a space for residents to learn, spend their leisure time and celebrate their heritage.
Town hall bosses have submitted a £14.5m bid to the government’s
Future High Streets Fund to pay for the scheme – and also hope to bring in a further £8m investment towards repurposing the buildings.
Merseyway is to undergo a radical revamp and other plans for the Adlington Walk area include a new ‘hotel lobby style’ entrance, soft play space for children and a multi-faith prayer room.
Coun David Meller, the council’s regeneration and economy chief, said the plans would play a vital role in revitalising the heart of the town.
He said: “This exciting development will bring more people into the town centre and more importantly, will be somewhere that local people can enjoy for years to come. It will also act as a catalyst to attract even more investment into the town and attract major businesses like we have done with BASF relocating to Stockport Exchange. We have put in a really strong bid and I look forward to hearing if we have been successful later on this year.”
It comes close on the heels of the launch of the One Stockport campaign, which promises to ‘build back better’ as lockdown rules are eased and businesses begin to open up again.