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.
The old cotton mill in Stockport that’s home to the largest vintage lifestyle centre in the North West
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Who would’ve known the largest vintage lifestyle centre in the North West, is tucked away here in Stockport?
Nestled inside a former Edwardian red-brick cotton spinning mill is where you can find The Vintage Emporium, supplying a unique shopping experience that is sure to fulfil all of your antique desires.
Pear New Mill is a Grade II listed building, set on the northern bank of the River Goyt in Bredbury, which is now home to a range of different businesses from an Adidas outlet store, to a climbing wall and of course The Vintage Emporium.
The Vintage Emporium hosts a maze of over 65 independent traders, selling everything from vintage clothes, furniture, jewellery, kitchenware, retro vinyl, and antiques, mostly from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Every section has something different to quench all of your vintage needs, with lots of quirky items including a huge Flake 99 statue, Japanese parasols and taxidermy – perfect interior decor for your new home if you ask me.
Not to mention it has the sweetest on-site tea room equipped with antique furniture, ornate teacups and crockery, serving up some delicious toasties and sweet treats to pair with your brew. Name a better way to spend your Saturday? I’ll wait.
Pear Mill is located just off of the M60, with free parking and it is in relatively close proximity to Stockport Train station making it easily accessible from across Greater Manchester and a great addition to your next trip to Stockport.
Vintage finds at Pear Mill, StockportVinyls are for sale here tooAnother corner at The Vintage Emporium at Pear Mill, StockportVintage teddy bearsA corner of vintage fashionJust one of many corners filled with treasuresLeather jackets and other fashion piecesThe Vintage Tea RoomPear Mill in Stockport is home to The Vintage EmporiumThe Vintage Emporium at Pear Mill in StockportAn adorable find
It’s open seven days a week, with the cafe open until 3pm everyday except Wednesdays. Oh, and nobody has to miss out as four-legged friends are welcome to have a browse too.
Go on grab your mates and enjoy a wholesome morning soaking up all of the history or take your nan for a little trip down memory lane.
A big preloved school uniform shop is opening in Greater Manchester this summer
Emily Sergeant
A popular pre-worn school uniform shop where you can grab items at ‘affordable’ prices is reopening in Greater Manchester for the summer.
As the cost of living crisis sadly still continues to make its impact felt nationwide, Stockport‘s popular pre-worn uniform shop will throw open its doors for the fifth year running, and families are encouraged to clear out wardrobes, pass on school uniform items, and help local children head back to school for a fraction of the usual cost.
The initiative has seen thousands of items donated and sold to the local community throughout the past few years, helping families save money while also keeping perfectly wearable school uniforms out of landfill.
Not only that, but the scheme has also raised thousands of pounds for local charities thanks to incredible public generosity – with all proceeds from this year’s shop going towards Emmie’s Kitchen.
A big preloved school uniform shop is opening in Greater Manchester this summer / Credit: Matthew Nichol (Supplied)
As always, the shop will be popping up inside the town’s Merseyway Shopping Centre for the summer holidays to provide locals with massive savings.
Before then though up until Monday 10 August, a dedicated donation bin will be available for shoppers to drop off clean, reusable, good-quality school uniform items ready to be resold at affordable prices.
The pop-up shop will then return for one week only from Friday 14 – Friday 21 August, offering every item for 50p each, making it easier than ever for families to stock up on school essentials.
The scheme accepts items that are suitable for Stockport-based schools, however families with children outside of Stockport will find a variety of suitable items too.
“It’s incredible to see how this initiative has grown over the last five years,” commented Victoria Nichol, who is the Centre Manager at Merseyway.
“What started as a simple idea has become something the whole community gets behind, with families returning year after year to donate uniforms, shop sustainably and support local charities.
“School uniforms are only worn for a short time before children outgrow them, so if your child’s is still in great condition, why not pass them on? Every donated blazer, jumper, PE kit or pair of shoes could make a real difference to another local family, while also helping reduce clothing waste.
The Manc -
22nd April 2021 
