There's a growing feeling in Stockport that the borough could become the UK's next big technology hub.

It's got a revitalised town centre and direct transport links to both Manchester and London, so the council is urging tech firms to look to Stockport for their next base.

It comes as part of a drive to encourage residents in the town to brush up on their digital skills and be ready for an economic boom.

Councillor Jilly Julian, the town hall's cabinet member for finance and resources, said: "Stockport is undergoing a rapid transformation. Digital tools and platforms have opened up boundless opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration.

"There's no reason Stockport can't be the next key place for data and tech companies.

"The opportunity is here; it's a question of creating the right conditions and environment in a place, and that's the role a council plays."

Plans for the new data centre in Reddish (Image - Kao Data)

Technology companies are already eyeing up the town and its workers.

One business – Kao Data – is planning to build northern England's largest data centre in Stockport, a move which could open the way for technology start ups and giants to flock to the area.

Spencer Lamb from the company recently told councillors that Reddish was chosen after a two-year research process for the "wealth of opportunity and people that work" in the area and around Greater Manchester.

If approved, it could add millions to the economy and play a key role in the future of sectors such as artificial intelligence, Mr Lamb believes.

But work needs to be done to make sure people in Stockport and Greater Manchester aren't excluded from these opportunities.

According to data shared by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, one in three households in the region faces some form of digital exclusion, and 14 percent of people in Stockport have someone in their household who is not confident using digital services online.

The DigiKnow programme in Stockport aims to tackle the issue by offering help to get online, as well as improving and learning digital skills.

An event was held at the end of February about raising awareness of the programme and encouraging different sectors and businesses to get on board.

Without such schemes, there's a risk of people missing out on the jobs of the future and struggling to get by with basic things such as finding a GP appointment, Cllr Julian said.

She added: "These skills have a role to play in everything from people researching good diets and health to finding a job that pays more. Digital skills are essential and make a huge difference.

"The divide creates disparities in education, employment, healthcare, and civic engagement.

"For people who don't have these skills, we'll see a part of our community that can't access as many opportunities or get on as well. It becomes another barrier to achieving a better life.

"Retraining is also critical. Some adults over 50 might have worked in an industry, and when that ends, they may feel like they can't remember how to learn."

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