There’s a new look for Stockport’s famous underbanks.
Now that ‘Step Two’ in the government’s roadmap to lifting England’s current national lockdown has commenced – which has crucially allowed non-essential to reopen in towns and city centres across the UK – Stockport residents have been able to see first-hand the progress that has been made on improving the underbanks.
During the winter lockdown, Stockport Council has carried out a number of works to improve the public realm, including the road and footpaths in the underbanks.
The Lower Hillgate/Little Underbank area of the underbanks has now been kitted out with new street furniture, street lighting, paving and a new road surface as part of the second phase of regeneration, with additional work next set to be completed between Royal Oak Yard and the roundabout at Great Underbank, with new street furniture and lighting to be installed.
This regeneration scheme is being delivered by the Town Centre Access Plan in support of the ‘Rediscovering the Underbanks’ project.
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The scheme has also received support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
✅ With the easing of the national lockdown, you now have the perfect reason to soak up the sunny weather and take a look at the work taking place in the Underbanks.
New paving plus heritage lighting and street furniture have been installed.
The first phase of works were completed in March 2020 between the automatic bollards and Royal Oak Yard, which saw the road resurfaced in coloured tarmac due to ongoing works to property nearby.
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Once those works have been completed – which is expected in due course – the coloured tarmac surface will be replaced with the same paving that has been installed at Little Underbank.
Speaking on the new look for the underbanks, Mark Glynn – Director of Place Management at Stockport Council – said: “We would like to thank businesses and residents for their continued patience, understanding and support while these works on the underbanks have taken place [as] we appreciate it has been an incredibly difficult time for so many, [but] we are looking forward to welcoming businesses and visitors back to enjoy the benefits of the refurbished area.
“The Council is reviewing the longer-term vehicle access arrangements in the wider Markets and Underbanks area as we want to make sure it meets the needs of modern-day life and is a great place to live, work, play and connect”.
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Stockport Council
As was the case before the works began, vehicular access for residents, servicing and loading will be before 10.30am and/or after 4pm.
The Pedestrian Zone then applies between 10.30am and 4pm.
Entire Blossoms band rock up to independent takeaway for ‘best sandwiches in Manchester’
Daisy Jackson
Blossoms have hailed a Manchester takeaway as having the ‘best sandwiches’ in town.
The Stockport band popped in – all five of them – to Ad Maiora in the Northern Quarter, to sample one of their authentic Italian sandwiches.
Ad Maiora shared a picture of the five-piece outside their Tib Street sandwich shop, saying it was a ‘special’ moment to have the band visit.
The humble sandwich business started life in the apartment of Sardinian couple Daniela Steri and Enrico Pinna, who quit their jobs to dedicate their lives to sandwiches.
It then expanded to open its first proper site in February last year, where they create beautiful butties with freshly-baked schiacciata – a Tuscan flatbread – and top-quality Italian ingredients.
It’s not just Blossoms who have fallen for Ad Maiora’s incredible food.
The sandwich business is also a firm favourite with several Manchester City stars, including Erling Haaland, who even has a sandwich on the menu named after him.
Blossoms hailed Ad Maiora as having the ‘best sandwiches in Manchester’. Credit: The Manc Group
They’ve had several visits from Pep Guardiola, too, while he was manager of Man City.
Sharing the picture of Blossoms, Ad Maiora wrote: “A special visit from Stockport’s finest.
“It was an absolute pleasure welcoming @blossomsband to Ad Maiora for some proper Italian schiacciata!”
Blossoms commented to say: “I migliori panini di Manchester!! Grazie mille ragazzi” – which translates as: “Best sandwiches in Manchester!! Thank you so much guys.”
Stockport man admits to drugging and raping his wife without her knowledge for more than 20 years
Emily Sergeant
A man in his 60s from Stockport has admitted drugging and raping his wife in a ‘horrific’ 20-year campaign of abuse.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the man – who cannot be identified in order to protect the life-long anonymity of the victim – previously admitted five counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, six counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sharing intimate photos or film.
And now, during an appearance at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday (14 September), he pleaded guilty to a further 45 charges.
This makes it 60 charges in total the man has now pleaded guilty to.
Some of the charges he pleaded guilty to yesterday include a further 16 counts of rape, nine counts of assault by penetration, seven counts of sexual assault, and four counts of attempted rape, amongst several others.
Speaking following the court appearance yesterday, GMP’s Assistant Chief Constable, Rick Jackson, said: “Our focus remains on supporting the victim of this horrific campaign of abuse through what is a very complex investigation.
“Specialist support continues to be provided to the victim at the centre of this case.
“If you are concerned you or someone you know may be affected by drug-facilitated sexual abuse, please know that you do not need proof, certainty, or a clear memory to be taken seriously.
“You are not expected to understand exactly what has happened or who was involved in order to be taken seriously. If you feel that something has happened, then please report it or ask for help.”
GMP reiterates that anyone who does choose to report sexual abuse does not need a full account or clear memory, can share as much or as little as they feel able, and will be supported by trained officers, as their ‘immediate’ safety and wellbeing will be the ‘priority’.
They may also speak to a support organisation first and decide later whether to involve police.
Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre – Services are available on a 24-hour basis, and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.
Greater Manchester Rape Crisis – Call on 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected]
The Manc -
22nd April 2021 
