Stock Party, the free street festival that sees Stockport absolutely packed, will return to the town this summer.
Organisers are promising that this year’s event will be even bigger and bolder than before, filling the streets from the Great Underbank through Stockport Market Place and along the Underbanks, reaching all the way to Robinsons Brewery Yard.
For this one magical day in summer, Stockport will transform into an open-air, town-wide block party, in a huge celebration of the town’s independent spirit.
The event will bring together street food traders, pop-up bars, DJ sets, and plenty of entertainment in every corner of town.
It’s all one big collaboration between Track Brewing Co., Robinsons Brewery, Cloudwater, SK1 Records, and Totally Stockport (Stockport’s Business Improvement District), along with new partners Stockport County FC.
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Robinsons Brewery Yard will host a major hub for Stock Party, with Track, Robinsons and Uskees taking over the space, plus music curated by Odioba and food from Honest Crust pizza and ISCA.
Over on the Underbank, it’ll be Cloudwater pouring the beers and SK1 Records on the decks outside their new shop.
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Robinson’s Brewery will host a major hub of Stock Party 2026Independent businesses across Stockport will be getting involved
This is where you’ll find some of Stockport’s most exciting independent food traders in once place, including Mekong Cat and The Spinn Off.
And at Stockport Market Place, Red Bull will have a dedicated DJ stage.
It’s not just about food, booze, and tunes though – Stock Party 2026 will have plenty of family-friendly events going on.
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That includes a breakout space in Stockroom, pottery and photography workshops in Merseyway, and craft workshops in Good Yard Studio.
There’s even a free family disco, complete with inflatable instruments, in Hillgate Cakery.
The Apple Core, Stockport’s newest opening, will transform into a wellness space, featuring a social run, curated exhibition, and an evening of music.
A sample of last year’s Stock Party celebration. Credit: Supplied
As the day turns to night, Stock Party will continue with its now-legendary after-party pub rave at Red Bull on Hillgate.
Pop into basically any local business during Stock Fest and you’ll find them getting stuck into the atmosphere, with loads of street bars, takeaway drinks, and DJs popping up all over town.
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You’ll even be able to grab a bowl of fresh pasta from the door of Little Scarves, or a sandwich from a Rack pop-up.
We’ve listed a load of the independent venues joining in with Stock Party below so we don’t miss anyone:
Bruk – DJs from day into night, street bar, and special Stock Party cocktails
Runaway brewery – a special Stock Party beer in collaboration with some of favourite Stockport Indies, alongside Honest Crust Pizza specials and a party at the taproom throughout the day
Noah’s – DJs and bar activation
The Good Rebel – outdoor bar with beers and spritz
This Godless Place – house and disco DJs from midday with outdoor seating
Sleepy Parrot Studio – live music and radio station takeover
Fell Stockport – takeaway can deals and vinyl sessions
Little Scarves – fresh pasta served from the door
Rack – sandwich pop-up
On Da Rocks – DJs throughout the day
Marley’s – Mexican street food specialising in birria tacos
Convene – wood-fired Balkan flatbreads with charcoal mangal and natural wines
The Dilly Deli – oysters, sandwiches, spritz, and wine
Underbanks – Gatto sourdough pizza, crémant bar, DJ programme, and outdoor seating
On Da Rocks Caribbean food offers including jerk chicken, curry goat, and plant-based options, alongside cocktail deals
Stock Party will take place on Saturday 4 July between 12pm and 9pm, with free entry.
Stockport man who squirted semen on women in supermarkets jailed
Daisy Jackson
A ‘sexual predator’ from Stockport who squirted women with a bottle of semen in supermarkets has been jailed.
William Kidd, 27, was found to be following unsuspecting women while they shopped, and was caught four times on CCTV spraying his victims with a ‘substance from a bottle’.
This substance was later confirmed through forensic analysis to be Kidd’s own semen, which he aimed at women’s hair or backs.
These ‘depraved’ acts took place across five separate incidents between May and September 2025, in stores across Macclesfield, Handforth and Stanley Green in Cheshire, as well as Denton and Stockport in Greater Manchester.
As well as the semen spraying, Kidd was found to have followed a woman through a store and secretly filmed her on his mobile phone while she shopped with her five‑year‑old daughter.
Following his arrest in October 2025, Kidd’s phone was reviewed and it was found he had filmed up a woman’s skirt while she was pushing a small child in a shopping trolley.
Kidd was also found to be in possession of a quantity of cannabis at the time of his arrest.
William Kidd has been jailed after he was discovered to be squirting semen on women in Stockport
The Stockport man appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Friday 29 May, where he was sentenced to four years in prison and is now subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which remains in place indefinitely.
The 27-year-old of Stanbank Street had earlier pleaded guilty to 11 counts of sexual assault on a female, two counts of voyeurism, eight counts of recording an image under clothing to observe another without consent, and possession of cannabis.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Tiffany Berry-Perkin said: “Firstly, I would like to commend the victims in this case for the strength and bravery they have shown throughout this investigation.
“It is thanks to their continued support that our team was able to gather an overwhelming body of evidence against Kidd, leaving him with no option but to plead guilty.
“Kidd deliberately targeted innocent women as they went about their everyday lives, entirely unaware of the depraved acts he was committing against them.
“His behaviour is completely unacceptable, and I welcome the fact that he is now being held accountable behind bars, where he can no longer pose a danger to women in our communities.”
Detective Sergeant Steven Kaminski said: “This case is an excellent example of neighbouring forces working together to identify and apprehend offenders who target women and girls.
“Kidd was fully aware that what he was doing was wrong. He knew his actions would cause his victims extreme distress, yet he chose to continue, deliberately travelling to multiple stores across two counties with the intention of violating and ultimately sexually assaulting innocent women.
“Putting an end to violence against women and girls remains a top priority for the force, and we will continue to remove sexual predators like Kidd from Cheshire and ensure they see justice.
“We treat all allegations of sexual offences extremely seriously, and any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.
“Victims should never feel ashamed of what has been done to them. Anyone who comes forward will be met with compassion, respect, and specialist support from our officers, alongside partner support agencies. All victims of sexual offences are entitled to anonymity, and we are committed to ensuring they receive the help and protection they deserve.”
Stockport County are hosting huge World Cup screenings at Edgeley Park
Danny Jones
Stockport County are set to host one of the biggest World Cup screenings in Greater Manchester this year, with the nearby football club opening up their very own ground at Edgeley Park to host some huge watchalong parties.
And before you ask, no – you won’t be watching from the pitch, sorry.
Still, a dozen large TVs, loads of great street food and free-flowing drinks, not to mention plenty of stadium-level atmosphere, we’d absolutely call this the next best thing.
With the 2026 World Cup and a whole summer packed with sporting tournaments coming up, ‘The Hatters’ will be creating their own home camp to help cheer on the national squad.
As you can see, while you won’t quite be out of their on the turf for yourselves, and outrageous ‘scam’ ticket prices mean even fewer England supporters will likely be flying out to watch the boys in person, the Stockport side will be doing their best to create a proper good crowd.
Taking over the County Courtyard – the team’s dedicated social hub for before and after games, which opened back in 2022 – the local League One side will be turning this into a Three Lions fan zone for each and every game they play in the tournament.
Fingers crossed they give us plenty of rounds to witness, eh?…
Anyone who’s been to Edgeley Park‘s County Courtyard or simply even seen the scenes online will know how busy this place can get on a matchday, so just imagine what it will be like with the big screens showing the all-important games.
With resident cult figure ‘Chef John’ cooking up street food scran inspired by the cuisine and cultures that will be hosting this year’s World Cup, and a special, not to mention brand-new, US-inspired beer in collaboration with natives Runaway Brewery, it’s a great lineup – we just pray Thomas Tuchel matches it.
Credit: Publicity pictures (supplied via Stockport County Football Club)
Doors open at 6pm for all fixtures, and The Courtyard will remain open until midnight; with tickets starting from just a fiver for the group stage, you’d be foolish not to at least consider it.
If England do make it through to the knockouts, each following fixture will obviously be shown on the box, too, with tickets then rising to £10 per game (Edgeley Park is also a fully cashless venue).
You can find out more information about what will be on offer and find the ticket link right HERE.
As for Stopfordians and regular season ticket-holders, they’ll no doubt be gutted to hear that manager Dave Challinor has now departed SK3 after a hugely productive five-year stint – here’s hoping a great World Cup can help lift some spirits.
Memories that will last a lifetime 💙
We wish Dave and his family every success in the future – they will always be welcome back at Edgeley Park 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ZxcH5Keag9
— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) June 1, 2026
Daisy Jackson -
23rd April 2026 
