A vacant building in Stockport town centre is being transformed into an artists' hub.

GRIT Studios - which provides affordable studio space to local artists - will be moving into Kingston House on Kingston Street (near the bus depot).

They'll turn the building into an artistic hub, occupying it for the next few years until it's eventually demolished to make way for Stockport 8.

Further still, a mural will be painted nearby to 'brighten up the area'.

Stockport Council described it as "a new lease of life" for the building, which would otherwise have been sitting empty until its planned demolition in the late 2020s.

GRIT studios has another artistic hub based on Canal Street, just outside Stockport town centre (Image - Nub News)

This is the second time GRIT has opened a studio in Stockport - their other studio being on Canal Street, just outside the town centre.

This new building will provide space for another 30 local creatives - a massive boost for the local arts industry.

John Macaulay, who runs GRIT Studios with his wife Sophie, said the GRIT team were "incredibly excited" at the news.

"It's another big step in our mission to support grassroots creatives across the region", he said.

GRIT studios has been responsible for a number of large scale artistic projects and murals across Stockport (Image - Nub News)

"We're looking forward to providing affordable studio space for another 30 local creatives and getting to know our new neighbours in Stockport.

"In a time when artists are being priced out of city centres and creative spaces are under threat, we remain committed to championing local talent and giving them the resources they need to flourish. Thank you to everyone who's been part of this journey."

Cllr Michaela Meikle, Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration & Skills, added: "We're thrilled to welcome GRIT Studios to the interim Stockport 8 site. This opportunity not only activates the space in a meaningful way, but also supports local talent and fosters a sense of community ahead of the neighbourhood's next chapter.

"It's imperative that we put people first throughout the process of our town centre regeneration and maximise the potential for social value in our projects. We've made this space available to ensure Stockport can continue to remain an affordable hub for local creatives to flourish."

~

Free from clickbait, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.

Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or X