Historic warehouse could become Stockport’s coolest community space
A historic warehouse could become one of the coolest places to hang out in Stockport thanks to a project to bring it back to life.
It doesn't look like much right now, but the grade-II listed building near the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals in Marple played a huge role in Greater Manchester's past.
Built in the 19th century, it was a place where goods once travelled when factories and mills were at the centre of many people's daily lives.
There are now plans to turn the warehouse into a community and heritage centre, with a cafe and exhibitions telling Marple's industrial history to the world.
Named the Marple Wharf Heritage Centre, the project has been backed by more than £860,000 from a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant.
The final phase of work is expected to start this year and could be finished in spring 2026, according to bosses leading the work at The Wharf Marple Community Interest Company (CIC).
The warehouse building was built around the time of the construction of the Peak Forest Canal and Macclesfield Canal in the early 1800s, and sits between two grade-II listed roving bridges.
The building was bought in September 2022 after fundraising efforts from local investors and the community raised nearly £200,000, which was matched by the government's community ownership fund.
Hazel Grove MP Lisa Smart, who is leading a campaign to get Marple's canal locks recognised as a World Heritage site, welcomed the Marple Wharf project.
She said: "There's lots of people who come walking along the canal towpath here and would feel this is such an ideal space in an ideal place to learn more about what they're walking alongside and why the canals are here, why they came about, and what role they played in linking up some of the mills where the produce was going.
"I think the history of our area is not well known enough, we've got some amazing local historians who do phenomenal work in celebrating that history, but it's not widely enough known.
"I think this is going to play such an important role in yes having a cafe in a really well-placed spot along the towpath, but it's going to enable people to just learn more about our history and the role that Marple played in the industrial revolution."
Lynda Jowett lives in Marple and said locals can't wait to visit the centre when it opens.
"It's really important [to have a place like this], and also for local people to be able to go in there for a cafe and to do exercises or whatever else they're going to do.
"Most of us in Marple are very proud of our history. A lot of us have lived here a long time and we just really enjoy it. It's the sort of place where you can get out into the countryside, into Manchester, it's an ideal place really, with a good community."
Susan Ingham, director at The Wharf Marple (CIC), said: "This amazing grant is the final piece in the funding jigsaw and the realisation of our dream to secure this much-loved historic building and Marple's fascinating heritage that we are all so proud of, into community hands."
Cllr Geoff Abel added: "This place and the heritage funding that just helped it to establish itself is so important because it's a reason to come to Marple.
"Many other interesting places do not have this sort of historical context, and this is a place for visitors to come, they will see exhibitions, they will get a cup of tea, it's just a lovely place that will make Marple, I feel. When it's up and open we wouldn't be able to move here for people."
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