It’s been a year of change for Stockport

CHRISTMAS is a time for reflection and, looking back over the past 12 months, it’s clear to see that 2017 has been a significant year and a turning point for Stockport.

We have new retailers, restaurants, hotels, a new gateway to the town and as we enter the festive month, we are being treated to a Christmas like Stockport has never seen before.

With performances from S Club, Lucy Spraggan and Amelia Lily to celebrate the light switch on at Merseyway, the official opening of our new leisure complex Redrock, festive themed light shows, Foodie Friday and a Makers Market, we’ve been given more reasons than ever to visit the town centre this Christmas. New businesses have also arrived in Stockport in the last 12 months, significantly reducing the amount of available office space – which brings fresh challenges.

But what is exciting is the level of growth we have seen for so many of our customers, many of whom only moved into the town centre within the last two or three years.

This is all further physical evidence that Stockport is evolving not only into a retail and leisure hub, but one of Greater Manchester’s leading business destinations too.

It’s obvious this change wouldn’t have happened without the collaboration, hard work and commitment throughout 2017 from groups across the town such as Totally Stockport, Stockport Council, Stockport Old Town, Marketing Stockport - and many others.

We’re lucky to have these events, attractions and activities taking place right here on our doorstep, so I hope the business community shows their support and makes a point to visit the town centre over the festive period and drive more change for 2018.