‘Exciting’ project to transform Stockport town centre over next five years is signed off
"The MDC is going to provide massive regeneration opportunities, but allow us to reshape the town centre in line with our identity and our community values."
Plans to transform the face of Stockport town centre over the next five years have officially been signed off by local authorities.
The medium-term plan is aiming to deliver 1,000 new homes by 2023, with at least 250 being built every year until 2026.
Projects also include the redevelopment of Stockport Train Station and progressing the business case for bringing the Metrolink to the town centre.
Regeneration of ‘Town Centre West’ has already delivered the Stockport Exchange office development, as well as transforming the old sorting office into a 117-apartment scheme dubbed The Mailbox. It has been hailed as “the newest, coolest, greenest” urban village in the region by Stockport Council leader Elise Wilson.
Now, Mayor Andy Burnham and leaders from across Greater Manchester have given the go-ahead for the business plan up to 2026.
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The projects were approved at the latest meeting of the region’s combined authority.
Plans to transform Stockport town centre have been signed off by local leaders / Credit: Stockport MDCThe Stockport MDC is aiming to deliver 1,000 new homes by 2023 / Credit: Stockport MDC
Planning permission has been granted for the Royal George Village and St Thomas’ Gardens schemes, which are set to bring more than 500 homes to the town centre.
“This is obviously a new way of approaching town centre regeneration,” Mayor Andy Burnham said.
“Supporting Stockport council, Greater Manchester is bringing what it can to the table, so we do this as a joint endeavour and maximise the support available – but also work to an ambitious masterplan that can deliver a real lasting change for the town.”
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“The MDC is going to provide massive regeneration opportunities, but allow us to reshape the town centre in line with our identity and our community values,” Cllr Elise Wilson added.
“It will utilise those iconic brownfield sites, which in many cases have just sat falling into disrepair, and bring them back into life – and by doing so help protect our green belt and green spaces.
“It will support the revival of our high street and create jobs and growth, because we do see the effect that is having beyond the MDC itself.”
“The MDC is going to provide massive regeneration opportunities” / Credit: Stockport MDC
She added: “Because the benefits of the MDC will absolutely level-up Stockport and ensure we can see that positive, inclusive growth and new communities – the newest, coolest, greenest neighbourhoods.”
Leaders agreed to approve the MDC business plan for May 2021 to March 2026, as well as the action plan between now and March 2022.
Featured Image – Stockport Council / Stockport MDC
Stockport
Seven arrested after hundreds of parcels were stolen from an Evri depot in Stockport
Emily Sergeant
Seven people have been arrested after hundreds of parcels were stolen from an Evri warehouse depot in Stockport.
Greater Manchester Police(GMP) is appealing to the public for information and witnesses after a significant commercial burglary occurred at a premises on Lingard Lane in Stockport just after 7:30pm on Friday 6 January, which saw several hundred parcels taken.
Police say the majority of the stolen parcels were from the delivery company Evri.
The parcels were then taken in several transportation cages and a pallet – which were believed to have been wheeled through Brinnington sometime between 8pm and 9:15pm.
CCTV footage sourced by GMP has already identified and shown a number of vehicles passing the offenders whilst the items were being transported on foot, which is why officers are now on the look out for witnesses who may have any vital information to help the investigation.
Thanks to information provided, GMP has already managed to arrest seven people, aged between under 18 and up to 55, on suspicion of burglary and handling stolen goods.
On top of that, an estimated £20,000 worth of parcels have already been recovered and are in the process of being delivered back to Evri.
But GMP still needs more help from the public.
The force has issued a public appeal for information, and is encouraging anyone driving the Brinnington area of Stockport between 7:30pm and 9pm on Friday 6 January to check their dash cams, and asking any local residents with CCTV or video doorbells to check for footage.
Officers particularly want to speak to those driving or living around Lingard Lane, Middlesex Road, The link, and Lapwing Lane areas.
Seven arrested after hundreds of parcels were stolen from an Evri depot in Stockport / Credit: Evri
Missing a parcel?
GMP is also encouraging those expecting a parcel which has not been delivered to them to contact the courier service directly about this.
Manchester family-run Greek restaurant launches emergency services discount to ‘give back’
Georgina Pellant
A Manchester family-run Greek restaurant that has been a fixture in the city for over fifteen years has launched a new discount to thank local emergency service workers for all their hard work.
In the midst of a winter NHS crisis, with British nurses and ambulance workers both striking in search of better pay and conditions, restaurant owner Al Rozafa told The Manc he wanted to give something back to workers – many of whom have been going non-stop since early 2020.
As a sign of appreciation for how hard frontline staff have worked during the Covid pandemic, the popular Greek restaurant owner has introduced a 15% off blue light offer that can be enjoyed by drinkers and diners any time this month.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Available to NHS staff, fire brigade and police workers, the discount is available to emergency service staff throughout January with workers just needing to show a badge or some form of ID to get the saving at Rozafa.
The family-run restaurant, recently named the best restaurant in the UK at a national awards ceremony, has two sites in Greater Manchester. its original site is based in Stockport, whilst the second can be found on Princess Street in Manchester city centre.
Both can be relied upon to serve up innumerable delicious Greek favourites, including huge mezze platters, stuffed vine leaves, and whole shanks of lamb stifado, cooked slowly for hours until the meat just falls off the bone.
The menu here is extensive, covering both Greek and Cypriot dishes with a host of colourful, heart-healthy options.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
If you’re planning a visit, you can expect to find everything from mincemeat stuffed vine leaves and homemade keftedakia (meatballs), to charcoal-grilled Cypriot pork with melted halloumi and several different styles of saganaki.
Elsewhere, you’ll find the likes of grilled sardines and octopus on its fish menu, alongside some hearty favourites like moussaka and souvlaki.
There’s so much on offer you’re definitely spoilt for choice. One visit probably just isn’t enough, if we’re being honest. Expect to leave incredibly full, to say the least.
The Manc -
29th June 2021 
