One of Stockport's historic mills is set to reopen as apartments next year following a £60m restoration.

Work at the Grade II-listed Weir Mill started in 2022 and is expected to finish next winter, creating a total of 253 new homes in Stockport town centre.

It will see two new apartment blocks built alongside the historic site, as well as space for bars and restaurants on the ground floor.

Weir Mill's history stretches back to the 1700s when it was built as a cotton works as the industrial revolution exploded across Greater Manchester.

The restoration of the mill was due to finish this year, but bosses at Capital&Centric who are leading the project say the complexity of the work has pushed the timeline back.

When it opens, future residents will get the chance to live in Stockport town centre and enjoy the amenities included in the Weir Mill design, such as a min-cinema, gym, co-working space, and rooftop garden.

Weir Mill as seen earlier this year (Image - Alasdair Perry)

One, two and three-bedroom apartments in the development are already being advertised online for next year with a waiting list set up for those interested.

John Moffat, joint-managing director at Capital&Centric, said the mill's restoration will play a key part in Stockport's regeneration by 'putting people and homes back in the centre' of the town.

"We want people there day and night, that's the overarching intention behind Weir Mill," the 40-year-old told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"If you can save a historic building at the same time, and create pocket parks, public squares, and amenities, then you're giving other people reasons to visit too, and not just the residents who live there."

The work has been funded from a pot of cash from Stockport's Mayoral Development Corporation – the council's development arm – as well as money from Homes England and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

It fits into Stockport council's plan to look at brownfield land in the town centre for development, rather than building on the green belt.

Weir Mill as seen from Stockport Viaduct (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Prices at Weir Mill are set to be cheaper than Manchester city centre, Mr Moffat said, although none of the homes are set to be designated as 'affordable' housing.

This is part of a bid to bring people to Stockport who may work in Manchester and commute on the train, or those looking for an apartment where they can work from home.

"We're trying to make them a much more affordable proposition than the city centre, to make it appealing it's got to be cheaper, up to a third less, that's our thinking," he explained.

The restoration is expected to bring around 500 new residents to Stockport when finished, with a mix of local people and those coming from further away.

Meanwhile, there are plans to build a further 8,000 homes in Stockport over the next 15 years as part of a transformation of the town centre.

This includes Stockport 8, a £250m project to build a new neighbourhood based around the town's landmark viaduct.

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