Last edition of heritage magazine after 30 years
AMAGAZINE that has provided a fascinating window into Stockport’s colourful past has been printed for the last time.
Stockport Heritage Magazine, which was first published in 1987, will shut as editor Steve Cliffe says it is struggling to cover its costs.
He and his late wife Jean started the publication to help save Staircase House and keep it as a heritage centre on Stockport Market Place.
Once this was achieved the magazine continued to tell tales of people and places that have made Stockport what it is today.
But after 30 years the final souvenir issue of Stockport Heritage Magazine is now in the shops and will be on sale until November.
Steve said: “We hardly expected that the magazine would continue so long, thanks to all our loyal readers, advertisers and newsagents, who helped keep it going. Some have been with us right from the beginning.
“People ask why other towns don’t have a heritage magazine. The answer is simple, they need a pair of heritage enthusiasts who don’t care about making money.
“Jean and I were up for that – with her background in sales and with me as editor, we used our modest savings to kick it off. Sadly Jean never lived to see this final issue.”
In 1987 Staircase House, then known as Staircase Cafe, was deemed a ‘dangerous structure’ and earmarked for demolition.
But Steve and others did not want to see the Grade II listed building, which dates back to the 1400s, disappear and successfully lobbied the council to reverse the decision.
It is now a popular museum that itself charts the history of Stockport.
Among the regular contributors were Edith Hinson, who wrote of her childhood memories growing up on Newbridge Lane after World War One.
Others included Iain McLean, who also helped sell the magazine and Ray Preston.
Steve, 64, has taken the decision to stop producing the magazine as it had begun to make a loss.
He said: “It has been a labour of love over the years and I’ve had a lot of help from people. I’m sorry to let people down as we have a very loyal readership but everyone has turned to the internet.”
Back copies of the magazine will still be sold at the heritage centre at St Mary’s Church, on Stockport Market Place and online. ●●Steve Cliffe with his late wife Jean when they started the magazine and, right, issue number one