Looking for a quick digest of the news in Stockport this week? Stockport Nub News has you covered.

Relax with some of our top stories from 4-8 September.

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Romiley's Forum Theatre to close temporarily due to RAAC

Romiley's Forum Theatre will close temporarily following government guidance on RAAC (Image - Alasdair Perry)

NK Theatre Arts and Stockport Council have announced that the Forum Theatre in Romiley will temporarily close, in light of revised guidance on reinforced aerated autoclaved concrete (RAAC) issued on 31 August 2023 by the UK Government. 

The presence of RAAC in The Forum Theatre has been known about since roof repairs were undertaken in 2017 and since then, the council says, it has been managed in accordance with industry standards.

A statement from Stockport Council reads: "As a precautionary measure and to ensure the safety of our staff, performers and visitors, we have taken the decision to close the theatre to the public in line with Government guidance to undertake further investigations."

Read more HERE.

Stockport Council calls for artists to decorate the Underbanks in new 2023 project

The Jimi Hendrix mural by Otto Schade is part of the same street art project which Stockport Council now plans to expand (Image - Alasdair Perry)

With La Boca to La Stocka in full swing, Stockport Council is calling for street artists to work on another project of beautification, this time in the Underbanks. 

The council says: "We are looking to appoint experienced street artists (either a collective, organisation or individual artists) to manage the production and delivery of art installations in Stockport town centre."

This project - dubbed 'rediscovering the underbanks - will follow on from a 'phase one' of artworks last year, which includes the Garden Tiger moth mural by Paintsmiths, Otto Schade's Jimi Hendrix painting, Emily Flanagan's 'shop local' figures, and Qubek's Underbanks mural opposite the Cracked Actor. 

Read more HERE.

Stockport Wilko store to close on 14 September

Stockport's Wilko store is one of 52 that will close across the country (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Stockport is one of 52 Wilko stores that will close after a rescue deal has fallen through. 

Although B&M bought up to 51 stores in a £13 million deal, a host of other stores will still have to close. As Wilko administrators said: "It is possible that further store closures may regrettably be necessary."

Team members at the affected store(s) will be made redundant. 

Read more HERE.

Fears Stockport's new interchange 'could become the new Piccadilly Gardens'

Construction of the new rooftop park in Stockport is underway (Image - Alasdair Perry)

A huge new transport interchange in Stockport could become 'the new Piccadilly Gardens', it has been claimed.

Local politicians say they're excited about the massive development, which includes a rooftop park, but they're concerned about security.

The mammoth construction project, which is well underway, will see the area around the Stockport's old bus station transformed. The town centre is changing beyond all recognition, with thousands of new homes built, shops being overhauled and public areas given a makeover.

The town hall's latest communities and transport scrutiny committee was told some councillors are concerned there will be no CCTV or security teams monitoring the park when it opens in spring 2024. 

Read more HERE.

Poynton house development plans recommended for approval

Plans would see five new homes on Dickens Lane, Poynton (Image - Google Maps)

Plans to bulldoze a house and replace it with another five in Poynton have been recommended for approval – after two previous attempts to redevelop the site for houses and apartments failed.

Abode Property Developments wants to demolish the dwelling at 64 Dickens Lane and build five three-bed detached houses on the site.

A report from the Cheshire East planning officer, due to go Wednesday's meeting of the northern planning committee, states: "Following recent appeal decisions for the redevelopment of the site for apartments and dwellings, the inspector's comments have been reflected in a revised proposal to replace the proposed apartments with two detached dwellings, and three detached dwellings at the rear, also addressing landscaping, design, tree and amenity matters.

"Although the proposals fail to provide a mix of housing on site by proposing solely three-bed units, the design is acceptable and would not result in harm to the character or appearance of the surrounding area."

Read more HERE.

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