Travel & Tourism

The old cotton mill in Stockport that’s home to the largest vintage lifestyle centre in the North West

What HASN'T stockport got?

Lydia Mastrolonardo Lydia Mastrolonardo - 31st July 2026

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.

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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. 

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Vintage finds at Pear Mill, Stockport
Vintage finds at Pear Mill, Stockport
Vinyls are for sale here too
Vinyls are for sale here too
Another corner at The Vintage Emporium at Pear Mill, Stockport
Another corner at The Vintage Emporium at Pear Mill, Stockport
Vintage teddy bears
Vintage teddy bears
A corner of vintage fashion
A corner of vintage fashion
Just one of many corners filled with treasures
Just one of many corners filled with treasures
Leather jackets and other fashion pieces
Leather jackets and other fashion pieces
The Vintage Tea Room
The Vintage Tea Room
Pear Mill in Stockport is home to The Vintage Emporium
Pear Mill in Stockport is home to The Vintage Emporium
The Vintage Emporium at Pear Mill in Stockport
The Vintage Emporium at Pear Mill in Stockport
An adorable find
An 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.

Unit B1, Pear Mill Industrial Estate, Stockport Rd W, Lower Bredbury, Stockport, SK6 2BP

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Travel & Tourism

Avanti staff at Manchester Piccadilly to strike tomorrow over ‘unfair dismissal’ of colleague

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant An Avanti West Coast train at London Euston

Avanti West Coast staff based at Manchester Piccadilly are set to stage strike action tomorrow.

Due to what has been described as the ‘unfair dismissal’ of a colleague, rail union RMT has announced that Avanti West Coast members at Manchester Piccadilly station are set to walk out tomorrow (Saturday 1 August) – with several other strikes also planned later in the year.

Despite taking industrial action against sacking – which was based on anonymous allegations – RMT says the company has decided to ‘ignore’ the workforce and uphold the sacking at an appeal hearing. 

As well as the 24-hour strike tomorrow, two other strikes have also been announced for future dates – 29 August, and 10 October.

Avanti staff at Manchester Piccadilly are striking over the ‘unfair dismissal’ of a colleague / Credit: Network Rail

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said that the sacking was ‘extremely disappointing’.

He claimed the worker had ‘clearly’ been the victim of a toxic workplace culture which encouraged anonymous and unsubstantiated complaints.

“This member has been made a scapegoat for multiple management failings, including the company’s inability to manage its employees to an acceptable standard within the workplace,” commented RMT general secretary, Eddie Dempsey.

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“This union is sending the clearest possible message to Avanti West Coast that there will be no let-up until this unfair dismissal is overturned and the issues at the heart of this dispute are resolved.”

Featured Image – Network Rail

Travel & Tourism

Greater Manchester’s ‘Stroll for Salford’ walking event returns for its second year in 2026

Danny Jones Danny Jones Stroll for Salford 2026 date

Following its successful debut last year, Greater Manchester’s now much-loved Stroll for Salford (SfS) event is back for 2026 this autumn.

We’d like to think everyone from around here is filled with hometown pride, but you ask anyone from Salford, and they’ll quickly remind you that this place is its own city, and that it quite rightly deserves celebrating all of its own.

And that’s exactly what the SfS is all about: not just toasting it as the region’s so-called ‘second city’, but as the culturally abundant place that it is and has been for more than 100 years.

Yes, with this sophomore edition following on from the borough celebrating its official Centenary, what better time to hail all things Salfordian.

Set up by Salford City FC and the partnered charity arm, Foundation 92, the inaugural walk raised more than £3,000 for charity with its maiden event.

Thousands got behind the cause, be it through volunteering and/or donating, as well as talking on the walking route itself back in October.

It’s actually happening a little earlier this time, with the second Stroll for Salford scheduled for Saturday, 19 September.

Kicking off from 10am, those taking part will be setting out on foot for a six-mile journey across the city, starting at the likes of the Civic Centre in Swinton, before passing through other key towns and finishing, of course, at Salford’s AIG Stadium on Moor Lane in Kersal.

The local League Two side continues to do plenty of important work in and around the community – this is just one of many recent, well-received initiatives.

As mentioned earlier, those getting involved will not only receive a special Salford t-shirt following the event alongside a finisher’s medal, but even a complimentary ticket to go and see ‘The Ammies’ in action at their home ground this season.

Not a bad deal at all.

For anyone uninitiated interested in coming along the journey, the route will also pass several key landmarks and a real sense of local history – all while doing your bit for a good cause.

You can help raise important funds for the local area and sign up for the Stroll for Salford 2026 HERE.

Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, another wholesome all-ages event is fast-approaching this August, too; keep on reading to find out all about it…

Manchester to celebrate National Play Day next week with 100+ FREE activities for families
Another public event to be made the most of.

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Featured Images — Eugene Regis (via Flickr)/Salford City Football Club (press shot via X)

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