The biggest changes coming to Stockport in 2025
Stockport town centre is changing before our eyes.
New apartments, a transport interchange, and a growing office district around the train station have made it look and feel very different from its industrial past.
This transformation has won national praise with the town voted the best place to live in North West England – and there are more changes still to come.
But whilst Stockport's regeneration has won it many admirers and attracted new residents, there are massive housing shortages and growing levels of homelessness in the borough, leaving some wondering if the changes have benefitted everyone.
With 2025 shaping up to be another huge year for Stockport, the Local Democracy Reporting Service takes a look at some of the major changes in the pipeline.
Stockport Pyramid
Royal Nawaab's plans to turn Stockport Pyramid into a huge restaurant and banqueting hall were approved in November to much excitement.
The building has sat empty since 2018 and will finally be brought back into use in the first half of next year.
Plans for the Pyramid include space for up to 250 diners and a maximum of 700 covers in its banqueting suites.
Large events such as weddings are expected to fill the unique venue and bring thousands of visitors to the town centre each year.
Stockport already has a growing reputation for its food and drinks offering with places such as the historic Underbanks becoming popular places in the town – this will only add to the appeal.
Weir Mill
More than 250 apartments are set to open in Stockport's Weir Mill in 2025 when a restoration project wraps up.
Work has been taking place in the building since 2022 with Capital&Centric leading plans to transform the former cotton mill into a new town centre neighbourhood.
Plans for the site include space for new bars and restaurants on the ground floor, with an expected 500 people set to start moving into the new homes next year.
John Moffat, joint-managing director at Capital&Centric, said in December: "We want people there day and night, that's the overarching intention behind Weir Mill.
"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."
Stockroom
Stockroom is one of the landmark projects taking place in Merseyway Shopping Centre and is set to open in spring.
The £16-million site has been built to create a relaxing space to hang out or meet friends in the town centre.
Visitors will see a wall of books when they walk in the main entrance, along with a cafe, events space, and public 'living room' area.
Based in a former Mothercare and Topshop store, Stockroom is aimed at keeping the town centre bustling and giving people somewhere welcoming to stop for a cup of tea or chat.
There are plans to host yoga, toddler play, literature events, music, stand-up comedy, and more at the centre when it opens.
Gwen Riley Jones, the creative programme manager leading the concept, said it is "not like anything that already exists."
Marple Community Hub
Plans to build a new swimming pool in Marple were approved in August – six years after the town lost its "much loved" historic baths.
Costing £20 million, it will give the town a 25-metre, five-lane swimming pool, with a spectator seating area and a changing village, as well as a 60-station fitness suite and two multipurpose fitness studios.
It includes a replacement library and health clinic facility, a community room, café, and meeting spaces.
While there is much excitement about the plans, it found itself in the middle of a row earlier this year when Stockport council refused to rule out closing the Grand Central swimming baths in the town centre, a place which helped develop local Olympic medallists.
Stockport's Labour MP Navendu Mishra wrote to council leader Mark Hunter at the time to say that depriving Grand Central of funding would be a "disservice" to the town's athletic heritage.
Stockport Exchange
The concept of Stockport Exchange was to create a new business district around the town's train station, as well as places such as bars for residents and workers to enjoy in the evenings.
So far office blocks have managed to bring new businesses to Stockport and there are plans to continue the expansion further.
The final phases of the development were given the green light in August, which will see 245,000 sq ft of office space added to the area.
But there were concerns from Historic England that the plans could 'diminish' the town's landmarks such as the town hall and viaduct.
Despite the concerns, councillors approved the plans and set in motion the final part of the scheme.
Greek Street Bridge
Work begins in March to replace Stockport's Greek Street bridge in a project expected to last at least 12 months.
It will cause huge disruption across the town as a key route linking both sides of Wellington Road closes.
Diversion routes are currently being planned as well as train station closures which are set to affect passengers using the West Coast Main Line.
Closures at the town's station will be required from December 25 until the morning of December 27 this year, as well as for periods in April, August, October and December 2025.
Once complete, Stockport council and Network Rail have planned for the new road network to include improved cycling and walking facilities.
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