A major high street in Stockport is 'on its knees' after people have started 'avoiding' the area, councillors have warned, with calls for a new plan to turn things around.

Castle Street in Edgeley is a key part of the neighbourhood, close to both Stockport train station and Stockport County's football stadium, Edgeley Park.

Reports from the council showed more people are visiting the area, but local councillors said traders are still struggling.

The town hall's data revealed that from April to June 2025, footfall increased by 1 per cent compared to the same period last year, and that shop vacancy rates are the 'lowest' of Stockport's district centres across the borough.

But Cllr Asa Caton said the experience of businesses on the high street is different from what the numbers suggest.

He claimed that Castle Street has 'a fight on its hands' when massive regeneration begins close to the area in a development known as Stockport 8, which includes new shops and public spaces alongside up to 1,300 homes.

Major engineering works are also taking place at the Greek Street bridge, which has caused the closure of the armoury roundabout to traffic until spring 2026.

Edgeley's Castle Street could have a 'fight on its hands' Cllr Asa Caton has suggested (Image - Declan Carey LDRS)

"We speak to traders, we know they're struggling, the next six months is going to continue to be difficult," Cllr Caton added.

The comments were made in a meeting of the central Stockport area committee on September 11.

It comes as the council shared an update on its action plan for Edgeley district centre, saying 'good progress' has been made.

It included a Christmas lights switch on in November last year with more than 500 people, lowering the amount of anti-social behaviour problems, and supporting an independent market taking place on September 21.

The report added: 'To assist with continuing the successful work that has taken place over the last two years, a larger allocation of £10,000 per district centre has been allocated from this year's UK Shared Prosperity Fund.'

But Cllr Matt Wynne said 'a much bigger strategy' and more direct support from the town hall is needed to save Castle Street, which he said is suffering from a 'clustering' of similar types of businesses.

"My concern with this action plan is that it's a bit of a copy and paste job, what applies with Bramhall and Romiley we seem to be getting the same template, and that isn't what we need.

"We need much more interventions on day-to-day issues, such as domestic waste issues related to the flats, the state it's in after matchdays, I'm pretty concerned it's not getting the cleansing schedule it needs after a thousand fans have been up and down it on a Saturday morning.

"It's creaking at the moment, Castle Street, it's been creaking for years, with this 12-month civil engineering project it's on its knees."

Edgeley's Castle Street (Image - Nub News)

Cllr Jon Byrne added: "There's no reason why it [Castle Street] should not be here in 50 years' time, but it does need the council to get the right tenants in."

In response, a council officer said work is taking place to create brochures for new residents going to the area, which will signpost the different shops and services.

"There are a number of independent traders in Edgeley, you can get your trousers taken up, it's got its butchers, you can get your keys cut and shoes repaired, so there's a whole range of businesses on there that are independent, and that's part of the work we're doing in the background is to have a brochure that will go to new residents to support Edgeley."

The council's work supporting district centres includes help for businesses around the borough.

A dedicated information portal, set to be a 'one stop shop' for businesses and organisations in district and local centres, is being developed as part of this.

Its report stated: 'Whilst much of this information is already available across the council's and partner websites, bringing it together in one easily accessible location offers significant value by making it simpler for residents, businesses, and stakeholders to access the information they need.'

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