Stockport was announced as the Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2023 in a ceremony yesterday at the Hat Museum. 

It is widely recognised that Stockport has earned its new title. Its rich industrial heritage runs side-by-side with massive redevelopment projects, with landmarks of Victorian and Edwardian architecture rubbing shoulders with gleaming modern buildings.

Its cultural scene is similarly impressive; the legendary Strawberry Studios hosted The Smiths, Joy Division, The Stone Roses, Paul McCartney and more, whilst a whole host of independent shops are springing up across the borough along with a burgeoning 'foodie' scene. 

The town has also produced such famous Stopfordians as Claire Foy, Phil Foden, the band Blossoms, Fred Perry, Paul Morley, and many more.  

The Town of Culture accolade, then, makes sense - but what does it actually mean?

For one, it comes with a grant of £50,000 to support culture across the borough.  

Judging from what last year's Town of Culture Stalybridge did with its money, we might expect funding to go to community projects and cultural events. 

The Tameside town hosted entertainment, dancing, craft activities, carnival parades, artist-led walks, exhibitions, Halle Orchestra performances, and more. 

At the announcement ceremony at the Hat Museum, allusions were made to a yearly programme which would feature similar events. 

Peter Ashworth, head of culture and leisure at Stockport Council, said: "[We've] got a lot going on in the next year. We want to involve people in creating the programme." 

He encouraged residents to look out for engagement opportunities to make suggestions for events. 

Events will be 'underpinned' by four key elements that celebrate arts, creativity, and heritage: Stockport Makes, Stockport Moves, Stockport Sounds and Stockport Tastes. That is to say that events will be devised with these themes in mind.  

It seems Stockport will do its best to leave a stamp on the title, too, for posterity - after all, the title is not permanent. 

Cllr Neil Emmott, Greater Manchester's lead for culture, said: "Bury and Stalybridge put their own unmistakeable stamp on Town of Culture, and now it's Stockport's turn. 

"I know that everyone connected to the town's thriving cultural scene will want to make this a success, and we're looking forward to what they've got in store for the rest of the year."

The ceremony took place at Stockport Hat Museum, one of a number of the town's famous industrial buildings (Image - Alasdair Perry)

In short, residents can expect to see a number of new exciting cultural events, as well as a prestige boost for as long as Stockport keeps its Town of Culture crown.  

Announcing the title at yesterday's ceremony, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said: "This place is so on the up, you can feel it every time you come."

He also said: "It's a real pleasure to be able to announce Stockport as our third ever Town of Culture for 2023. 

"The town put forward a strong case for the accolade, backed up by some really exciting plans for events and activities that celebrate Stockport's identity, its history, but also shine a spotlight on everything that's happening right now.

"[...] I'm pleased to see so many cultural organisations and community groups already engaging with the Town of Culture project, because they're the ones that will really bring this together.

"There's a real buzz about the place at the moment – the regeneration taking place through the Mayoral Development Corporation is transforming the town centre, and now this recognition and the funding that comes with it will help Stockport capitalise on all of that."

Cllr Mark Hunter, leader of Stockport Council after re-election yesterday, said: "Stockport has a rich cultural history and I'm delighted that we have been recognised in this way.

"This is the result of much hard work and dedication by many of our cultural organisations getting together under the banner of Culture Stockport to support us with this bid.

"We want our Town of Culture programme to give everyone the opportunity to be active and creative in our town and to ensure we use it to celebrate the people, places and stories of Stockport."

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or Twitter