Changes including hanging baskets and food events are to be introduced in a bid to support Stockport's high streets and district centres.

Proposals involve encouraging more local projects such as events, markets, street art, and planting to 'support the vibrancy' of district and local centres in the borough.

The plan includes talks with landlords to reduce empty shop units and improve how local high streets look.

Council leader Mark Roberts and his cabinet team are set to sign off on eight recommendations put together from a review led by James Frizzell, a councillor in the Reddish South ward.

Cllr Frizzell said: "There's a huge amount of regeneration in the town centre, we just want to make sure that the district and local centre aren't left behind.

"District and local centres are vital, especially if you are elderly or perhaps have mobility issues, you might want those amenities close at hand.

"Wherever we have homes we need local services, we need shops, restaurants, places where people can congregate, all of these things are important to people's wellbeing.

"If you don't have those things it does affect community and cohesion, so I think it's vital."

Among the proposals are new planters in Cheadle Hulme (Image - Nub News)

To support district centres, a total of £80,000 from this year's UK Shared Prosperity Fund has been allocated to the eight areas.

This means each centre gets £10,000 to spend on projects that boost 'vibrancy and footfall' before March 2026.

The projects are led by local residents and businesses alongside the council and its partners.

Stockport council said some of the projects taking place around the borough include:

• New planters in Cheadle Hulme
• Hanging baskets over the summer in Hazel Grove
• Food events in Cheadle
• Community art projects in Marple
• A new independent market in Edgeley
• New green spaces in Romiley
• A summer festival in Bramhall
• ReddFest in Reddish

A summer festival is among the changes proposed for Bramhall (Image - Nub News)

There are two dedicated district centre managers who both work with business owners, tenants and local groups and lead work in the areas.

As part of the changes to support district centres, an online support portal for local businesses will launch in January.

Cllr Micheala Meikle, Stockport council's cabinet member for economy, regeneration and skills, said: "Stockport is undergoing the UK's largest town centre regeneration, and it's exciting to see that momentum spreading across the borough, with our eight district centres continuing to grow and improve.

"From seasonal events to community projects, there's something happening in every district. And this winter, residents can enjoy Christmas light switch-on events and festive activities across the borough.

"Vacancy levels are below the national average, and footfall is rising year on year.

"Our district centres are thriving, and we're excited to see them continue to flourish."

Stockport council's cabinet is meeting to discuss the plans on Tuesday 4 November.

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