Why Stockport's coolest streets still have lots of empty units - but 2024 will be huge for the town

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The Underbanks, in Stockport, has become known as Stockport's coolest district. Its eclectic mix of independent boutiques, bakeries and bars, all of which are connected by a strong sense of community, has seen it referred to as the ‘Soho of the North’.

It's been a major renaissance for a part of the town which - with its historic buildings, steps, brows and bridges - was once one of the finest shopping districts in the region, but fell into decline in the late 20th century.

In the 19th century, it was a shopping mecca - complete with hosiers and milliners and curriers all plying their trade. It became so prestigious that Jacob Winters set up a jewellery shop half way down the street and installed an impressive automaton clock with 'soldier, sailor and old father time' marking the time.

But, by the noughties, the area had seen much better days - with some traders concerned it was being overlooked in favour of the Merseyway Shopping Centre, which opened in 1965. Read more: Charming Greater Manchester high street is a gem from another age Read more: The bright and colourful mural bringing community to the backstreets of Stockport So, in 2017, when the council was awarded £1.8m from the National Heritage Fund to restore and refurbish the historic buildings in the Underbanks - in collaboration with Stockport Heritage Trust - there was hope that the area would be restored to its former glory.