What’s going for it? Stockport? Yes. Stockport. Been through it countless times, gazing down from the viaduct in my Pendolino, at its odd, dramatic landscape, the deep Mersey valley, the Stockport Pyramid, Merseyway shopping centre, mill chimneys, all chucked together like a petulant child. Interesting. Must explore. And then, one day, I did. It’s a game of two halves. On the one hand, its deprivation can be staggering. On the other, swathes of wealth in Victorian suburbs such as Bramhall or Heaton Moor. Stockport’s misfortune was to bet its economy on hats and silk. Judging from the number of columns on the town hall and the size of those Victorian houses, some people made a lot of money. These days, the town is arriving fashionably late to the regeneration party. But it has plans: office parks, retail parks, creative quarters and futureproofing. Hubs, I’m sure, will feature. Its Victorian market is to become the next Altrincham Market. Its rather pretty old town has been restored. Watch this space.
The case against Do not underestimate the scale of revival necessary. I hope it doesn’t ape Manchester’s bling economy too closely. Much of the centre is a swirl of infrastructure: learn to love flyovers.
Well connected? Very. Trains: to Manchester (9-17 mins), Warrington (36 mins), Liverpool (70 mins) and London Euston (2 hours). Driving: the M60 charges through the centre; Manchester Airport is five miles away.
Schools Good. Primaries: among many rated “good” by Ofsted, Mersey Vale, Vernon Park, Banks Lane Infant, Great Moor Infant, St Peter’s Catholic, Ladybrook, Pownall Green and Queensgate are “outstanding”. Secondaries: Stockport Academy and Stockport School are “good”, with Priestnall “outstanding”. Independents include Hulme Hall Grammar and Stockport Grammar.
Hang out at… Where The Light Gets In – Marina O’Loughlin said in this newspaper that it “serves the most exciting food I’ve had in years”. Reservations are two months ahead.
Where to buy Some exceptionally fine and fairly well-priced late-Victorian and Edwardian homes. The avenues of Bramhall are lined with huge piles; closer in, Davenport has wonderful Victorian villas. West to Heaton Mersey and Heaton Moor, on and off Didsbury Road and Heaton Moor Road is denser. Hazel Grove for more modern suburbans. Large detacheds and townhouses, £350,000-£1.6m. Detacheds and smaller townhouses, £200,000-£350,000. Semis, £120,000-£750,000. Terraces and cottages, £100,000-£400,000. Flats, £75,000-£350,000. Rentals: a one-bedroom flat, £385-£675pcm; a three-bedroom house, £650-£1,300pcm.
Bargain of the week Four-bedroom detached Victorian house with no chain, in Woodley, £318,500 with thomaslardner.com.
From the streets
Karen Bamforth ‘Lots of bars, shops and restaurants. Try Heaton Hops and independent cinema, The Savoy.’
Laura Cooper ‘Tandem Coffee House and The Allotment, a vegan restaurant.’
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