Stockport has been named as one of the best “up and coming” areas in the UK to invest in 2022, according to a new list.
Each year, The Sunday Times publishes lists of the best places to live across the country and also names some of the areas it considers to be the most “up and coming” so that people keen to make a move can figure out where is best to invest their money – and for 2022, Stockport has given a glowing recommendation.
The leading national newspaper named the Greater Manchester borough in its annual list that was published over the weekend.
The Sunday Times pointed to Stockport’s close proximity to Manchester city centre, its wide range of housing options and neighbourhoods, upcoming developments, and bustling hospitality scene some of the reasons why it’s one of the best places to invest in the UK in 2022.
It also claimed Stockport is home to some of the region’s “most interesting people”, and is gearing up to become one of “the coolest little corners of the country”.
The Sunday Times says the borough is gearing up to become one of “the coolest little corners of the country” / Credit: Stockport Council
Giving a rundown of North West investment options, and giving a well-deserved nod to Stockport, The Sunday Times said: “It’s partly by accident that Manchester’s most interesting people desert the increasingly corporate city centre to outer suburbs in search of family houses, fresh air and better places than Piccadilly Gardens to walk the dog. It’s also part of a plan, championed by the Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, to create town centres good enough to rival the city, with the same quality of homes and amenities, but at much lower prices.
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“The best example so far is Stockport.
“Only 15 minutes from central Manchester by train, and already a magnet for interesting independent businesses such as the much-lauded restaurant Where the Light Gets In, the indie bookshop Rare Mags and the Produce Hall food market.
“The imminent conversion of the beautiful Weir Mill, next to the Mersey, and the iconic railway viaduct by the leading Manchester social impact developer Capital & Centric into flats, shops and public spaces is the highlight of a £1 billion regeneration that will transform a historic centre that’s already looking like one of the coolest little corners of the country.”
Plans for the historic Weir Mill to be converted into flats, shops, and public spaces as part of a £1 billion regeneration project / Credit: Capital & Centric
Stockport Council says the borough’s recognition in this prestigious national list shows that “Stockport is going places”.
“These are really exciting times for Stockport,” said Council Leader Mark Hunter.
“All this investment will boost the growth of the town centre, which will in turn, create modern, innovative spaces that will celebrate the town’s rich history and unique character.”
Wigan Warriors make history after yet another Super League Grand Final victory
Danny Jones
Wigan Warriors have made Super League history after winning yet another Grand Final following what can only be dubbed a spellbinding season.
Beating Hull Kingston Rovers 9-2 in what was their 13th Grand Final, not only have they now lifted the trophy for the seventh time but they have also become the first team in the Super League era to win the hallowed quadruple.
To make things even more special, the landmark evening in Manchester saw them match the same achievement of winning all four major pieces of silverware 30 years on from their famous Wigan predecessors in 1994, and are one of just a handful of teams to ever do so.
Matt Peet’s side signed off on an incredible year after winning not only the Challenge Cup and World Cup Challenge but by lifting the League Leaders’ Shield and retaining their Grand Final.
Star-man Bevan French put them ahead in the game before Harry Smith gave them breathing room before half-time and despite Hull KR answering back with a penalty in their first-ever visit to the final, Adam Keighran’s kick helped make sure the Warriors made it over the line.
That’s a couple of Challenge Cups, two lots of League Leaders’ Shields, a World Cup Challenge and a pair of successive Super League Grand Final wins in just 99 games over eight months as head coach for Peet too. Generational.
While the likes of Bradford and St Helens have won all four prizes up for grabs over the course of two seasons, a record like this is simply sensational and well and truly puts them up there as one of if not the greatest rugby league side ever – as if they weren’t in the conversation already.
You can see how much it meant when they lifted the trophy:
Things look to be only getting better for the Cherry and Whites under the Wigan local and they seem to be more fitting of their Warriors title under his watch than arguably ever.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, winner of the inaugural Rob Burrow Player of the Match award French said: “It’s been an emotional week. We knew history was on the line, with the chance to be the first to win all four in a calendar year.
“This one just meant more. The club went above and beyond to surprise me by flying my brother and uncle over, so this is special. I might not ever get to feel like this again. I’ve got to take it all in.”
Winning the quadruple in the modern era doesn’t just beckon Wigan Warriors into the history books, it could signal the start of a new period of dominance as was seen in the 1980s and 90s. Are the Saints about to make way for a new Northern super-power?
You can watch the highlights from the 2024 Betfred Super League Grand Final and see how Wigan completed the quadruple down below.
Wigan Warriors are now third in the table of all-time Super League Grand Final winners too.
— Barefoot Spooky Bartender 👣💀🍹 (@barefoottiki) October 10, 2024
“Be assured there won’t be 14408mph winds, hurricane force winds or overnight temperatures of 404°C.
“It is being looked at and hopefully sorted asap.”
BBC Weather shared: “You may have noticed some data issues on our app and website. We are working hard to fix it quickly. Sorry – please bear with us.
“In the meantime here are Thursday’s weather headlines: -Colder, clearer air moving in -Rain and drizzle in south -Blustery showers near east coast”
And national treasure Carol Kirkwood said live on air: “We are having a technical glitch at the moment. It’s showing wind speeds far too fast, in fact, hurricane strength and that is not the case at all.
“Please don’t be alarmed. We are aware of it and on it.”
At the time of writing, the BBC Weather forecast service is still predicting hurricane force winds for the UK. Eek.
BBC issues statement after UK forecast shows ‘hurricane force winds’ up to 14,000mph