A brand new ’21st-century library’, learning centre, café and events space is coming to Stockport town centre later this year and we thought we’d take a quick look at the exciting project.Let’s start with what and where it is exactly, shall we?
Being sold to the public as not just a new modern library but a learning hub and ‘discovery’ centre, StockRoom is the upcoming government-backed community development inspired by similar multi-use spaces like the Storyroom over in Chester.
Set to open up along the busy strip of Merseyway Shopping Centre right in central Stockport and spanning across a 47,000 sq ft space with several floors just next to the H. Samuel jewellers and other vacant units where the likes of Next used to be.
The concept is to deliver an “innovative space for creativity, discovery and inspiration” but boiled down to the basics, it will serve as a new home and sister site for many of the activities and resources currently housed within the Central Library, as well as a place for people to meet, study, hone skills, relax etc.
How this little stretch of the high street looks now.How it’s set to look in the coming months.A surface look at Stockport’s new library, learning centre and free public space. (Credit: Stockport Council/AEW Architects)
How much is costing?
With kid’s play areas and a dedicated children’s library, a “high-quality” bistro offering and IT facilities; a multi-faith prayer room, arts and crafts zones as well as spaces for live music, entertainment and special events, this place isn’t coming cheap.
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Using funding predominantly for the UK’s nationwide Future High Streets Fund, which totals over £1 billion, the StockRoom was initially priced up at approximately £14.5 million when it first signed off back in December 2021, but has since seen costs shoot up as a result of inflation.
While projections rose to nearly £22m last year, after negotiations with contractors and an injection of some more funding from Stockport Council, the figure is now thought to be closer to £16.5m. Still a big and pricey project, nonetheless.
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The build is being designed by Manc architecture firm AEW. The new Stockport library will also offer food and drink.Credit: Stockport Council/AEW Architects
When is it opening?
Now, although there is no firm opening date for StockRoom yet, it has now been slated for an autumn opening date, with adjacent units like the old Next and the former 64,000 sq ft M&S site across the road set to be redeveloped by Greater Manchester property firm, Glenbrook, later this year too.
There are suggestions that the Council could permanently move the town’s main library to the new learning-based location if it proves popular with SK locals when it launches and were residents willing to back such a proposal.
With the vacant BHS department store also set to be redeveloped in the near future, the face of Merseyway is set to look very different very soon.
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The current Merseyway tunnel area will become the entrance.The latest CGIs of how the main space could look.Credit: Stockport Council
With Stockport being named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture in 2023 and having once again been named one of the best places to live in the North West this year, the regeneration of the old Cheshire town and now thriving business, foodie and creative hub is making an exciting time to be in SK.
If you take into account all of the other new developments from apartments and hospitality venues to public spaces like StockRoom, the town is already looking very different than it did a few short years ago.
On the sporting side of things, the latest plans to upgrade and expand Stockport County‘s home ground will no doubt prove massive for the local community and surrounding Edgeley area, in particular.
Oasis classic voted the greatest British song of all time once again
Danny Jones
With the Live ’25 reunion tour this summer fast approaching, it’s fair to say that fans all over the globe are struggling to think about much else other than Oasis at the minute, so it won’t surprise you to hear that one of the greatest classics has been named the best of British song once again.
Oasis, Britpop fanatics and plenty more will already know the song in question, but the everlasting legacy of this tune remains extremely impressive, nevertheless.
We are, of course, talking about their 1994 hit ‘Live Forever’, taken from the seminal debut album, Definitely Maybe, an album absolutely littered with eternal gems from cover to cover.
It might not be the first time the iconic Manc anthem has earned the accolade, but it does feel like a more poignant time than ever to celebrate with the long-awaited gigs now just months away.
Voted for directly by Radio X (formerly XFM) listeners, the legendary Oasis tune has been the ‘Best Of British‘ yet again, with each year’s victor being chosen from a poll on a century of classic bits of music from UK artists.
Note that this isn’t just a second win either; it’s actually the third time in a row that the station has given it the top spot, not to mention naming 16 Oasis entries on the list.
Oh yeah, it also happens to be just the 10th anniversary of the now annual award, meaning ‘Live Forever’ boasts nearly a third of all Best of British wins to trophies to date – and believe us, you won’t hear any complaints from The Manc office or Audio North.
You’ll also be glad to hear that Manchester was the most heavily respresented city this year too, with bands like The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Joy Division and Oasis making up a total 39% of the vote. Because of course.
Radio X’s Managing Editor, Matt Deverson, said of the very easy repeat decision: “‘Live Forever’ had to be number one, didn’t it?
“And with Oasis dominating the 100 with 16 songs in the list, it reflects the growing excitement among Radio X listeners for what will be the biggest music and cultural moment of the year, from the biggest band in the world right now!”
Might as well watch the music video for the 100th time, then, eh?
Do you agree? Is ‘Live Forever’ the greatest British song of all time?
It is still a spine-tingling track even to this day, there’s no doubt about that, but more importantly where does it land for you?
We certainly have one our own thoughts on the best Oasis songs of all time that we’re sure some of our opinions will irritate you no end.
Fellow firm favourites that made it into the top 10 were ‘Champagne Supernova’, ‘Slide Away’ and ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’; meanwhile, one of the newest and highest-ranking additions is Sam Fender’s hugely popular ‘People Watching’, the title track from his fantastic third album.
With everyone getting ready for one of the biggest music events in history and even rumours of a return to Knebworth swirling, summer 2025 is set to go down in the history books. We were also glad to see someone who was there at the very beginning is as amped up as we are.
Featured Images — Helter Skelter/Shymanets (via GoodFon)/Oasis (screenshot via YouTube)
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Tributes pour in as former Rochdale and Bury midfielder Joe Thompson dies at just 36
Danny Jones
Awful news to share with you this bank holiday, as former Rochdale and Bury FC midfielderJoe Thompson has sadly passed away. He was just 36 years old.
Born in Bath, he spent time at both Man United and Rochdale’s academies before representing the first team, as well as representing fellow Greater Manchester club Bury and other teams in the North West – a region where he built a life with his partner and his two kids.
The ex-pro ultimately had to retire from football following a long battle with cancer, having been given the all clear from stage four lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) twice before during his playing days, before tragically receiving a heartbreaking third diagnosis last April.
News of his death broke on Good Friday, 18 April, having “passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning”. His wife Chantelle and eldest daughter Thailula shared a lengthy and heartbreaking statement on social media.
Confirming that he passed surrounded by his family, they wrote: “Joe has made such an impact on so many people and we are all forever grateful for him blessing us with his presence and for being so strong and staying with us as long as he did against all the odds.
“He was the most Incredible husband, son, brother, friend and father to our beautiful daughters, who will now carry his light and legacy on, and I will continue to keep filling them up with Joe’s love every single day […] I know he will be deeply missed by everyone and the world will not be the same without his contagious energy.”
Addressing their followers directly, who have been unwavering in their support for Joe and his family over recent years, The Thompsons went on to add: “Long may his legacy and impact live on! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey with us… We are all forever grateful.”
They also announced that his funeral will be an open service to allow others inspired by his story, charity work, from his Dale days saving the club from relegation and more to pay their respects, with more details to follow soon.
Countless figures from around the footballing world have joined the likes of the Red Devils and his other former clubs in paying touching tributes to the inspiring individual.
A man who epitomised our club's values ❤️
We are saddened to share that Joe Thompson has passed away.
A warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age, our thoughts are with Joe's family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/40ddQpyRTi
Very sad news, to battle cancer once is extremely brave but to battle it three times is not just brave but you need a strong mindset and obviously Joe had that to keep fighting. Thoughts with Joe’s family and friends.
Joe and his family were friends with our very own Amy here at The Manc, so it goes without saying that we offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone whose lives he touched – our thoughts are with all of them at this difficult time.
She said: “To one of the most incredible men I have ever met – Joe it was an unbelievable honour to have known you, you were the light in any room, and I can’t believe we have to carry on in this world without you.
“To the guy with the best laugh and best waves, you will forever be missed.”
Danny Jones -
14th March 2024 
