Plans for two new 'communications hubs' in Stockport town centre have been approved.

The hubs will feature digital advertising screens, a phone, free wifi, device charging stations, and a defibrillator. 

The hubs will be based on Prince's Street, and Merseyway Shopping Centre.

Plans had originally been submitted for three hubs - the third would have been in Mersey Square. However, the council refused this one on the grounds that it would get in the way of pedestrian traffic.

Similar hubs have already been built in Greater Manchester - Stopfordians may be familiar with seeing them on the walk from Piccadilly station into the city centre.

An up-close of what the hubs could look like (Image - JCDecaux / via planning document)

The applicant, JCDecaux, argues that the hubs in Manchester have "proved very successful".

They added: "Not only through our collaboration with the Great Manchester Police - who regularly use the advertisement screens to promote local campaigns - but in raising the profile and importance of adequate provision of life saving defibrillators across Stockport".

JCDecaux also argued that these sites (Merseyway and Prince's Street) represent the busiest areas of Stockport town centre, and would therefore be well-suited for the hubs. 

The revenue earned from digital advertising on the hubs would help pay for their operation. 

They would also be vandal-proof, featuring 13.5mm thick glass, and protected electronics.

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