In the throes of a ‘metamorphosis’
STOCKPORT is in the ‘throes of a mighty metamorphosis’ and is ‘turning it into one of the most exciting towns around’, according to The Sunday Times, which have just named the it the best place to live in the north-west of England.
The up-and-coming Greater Manchester town has been named alongside Prestwich in the publication’s 2024 list of ‘best areas to live’ in the UK, which is now in its 12th year and is compiled by an expert panel.
Elsewhere in the region, Christleton and Knutsford in Cheshire, Kendal in Cumbria and Ribble Valley in Lancashire, all made the cut.
After visiting each area, the expert panel looks at factors including schools, transport and broadband speeds, to culture, access to green space, and health of the high street.
Stockport has been praised for its developing transport links, availability of ‘good-value’ houses and crop of ‘funky independent businesses.’
The Sunday Times judges said: “The town in Greater Manchester is in the throes of a mighty metamorphosis that’s turning it into one of the most exciting towns around.
“The conversion of the vast Weir Mill into a new neighbourhood is well underway.
“The new Interchange project will link buses and trains around a new park while the historic streets around the Market Hall and the Underbanks are filling up with a joyous collection of funky independent businesses. It’s functional and familyfriendly, too, with unbeatable rail connections, parks, sports clubs and good-value houses up and down the property ladder.”
The town’s resurgence has been well documented in recent years, as commentators point to its burgeoning food and drink scene and new crop of independent businesses. The town’s Underbanks area has become one of the town’s ‘coolest’ districts with an eclectic mix of boutiques, bakeries and bars and has even been dubbed the “Soho of the North” in the past.
It comes as the town also prepares to welcome its brand new bus interchange in the coming days.
The multi-million pound transport facility boasts 18 bus stands with the capacity for 164 departures an hour. The new facility, which forms a central piece of the £1bn transformation of the town centre, will be accessible from entrances on Mersey Square, Swaine Street and Daw Bank, which will be clearly signposted.
The £135, project will be open to the public on Sunday (March 17).
Construction is also well underway at Weir Mill on the banks of the River Mersey.
The mill buildings are being restored and transformed into new homes.
Two new-build blocks, including a 14-storey tower, have also been erected on the site.
It will see the creation of 253 apartments, 87 in the historic mill buildings and 166 in the new builds.
It will also boast new bars, eateries, coffee shops and stores as well as two new public squares and green space in what bosses and council chiefs say will become a ‘vibrant’ new area.
The Sunday Times’ guide has had more new entries than ever before for 2024, with the judges looking for improving locations with a ‘strong sense of community’ rather than famous names with high house prices.
Helen Davies, the guide’s editor, says: “What makes our guide unique is that we actually visit all the places we choose and talk to locals to find out what life is really like there.
“That means we can see what people really love about the places they live.
“That might be fast commutes and highachieving schools but also clean water to swim in, lively town centres with useful shops, the possibility of earning a living and being part of a friendly community.
“We do consider affordability, though high house prices are no barrier to inclusion - as long as they provide value for money.
“Different people may be looking for different things, but what all our best places have in common is that people love living in them and are proud to call them home.”
‘It is turning it into one of the most exciting towns around’