Stockport Independent Issue 201

FREE YOUR LOCAL GOOD NEWS-PAPER FREE STOCKPORT www.independentnewspapers.co.uk ISSUE 201 OFFERTON • THE HEATONS • EDGELEY • DENTON BREDBURY • CHEADLE HEATH • HAZEL GROVE • CHEADLE HULME • HEAVILEY • MARPLE • REDDISH • ROMILEY • WOODLEY • HIGH LANE Looking for Flooring Inspiration? Let us help you find the perfect flooring for your home. With great advice, home styling, measure and planning service, plus quality fitting of top brands and designs, youwill be glad you did . Visit our showroom: Tuesday to Saturday or call 01260 224445 for a private appointment Thornycroft Farm, Pexhill Road, Siddington, Cheshire SK11 9JN l Modern, Traditional & Luxury Carpets l Natural Wood Flooring l Laminate Flooring l Stair Runners & Rods l Luxury Vinyl Tiles l Bespoke Rugs & Runners STOCKPORT is explor- ing submitting a bid to be crowned the UK’s first Town of Culture. Local people are being urged to help shape what that bid could look like if the town throws its hat into the ring for the £3million prize on offer. The government has cre- ated a national competition which will see the winning location awarded the cash boost to deliver a cultural programme in 2028, with two runners-up receiving £250,000 each to deliver ele- ments of their bid. The aim is to allow smaller towns across the UK to ben- efit in the same way as major cities have from the City of Culture competition. Stockport continues to ben- efit from the legacy of its year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture in 2023-24, which saw cultural activity take place across neighbourhoods, town centre venues and pub- lic spaces. A flagship legacy of this work is Stockroom, Stock- port’s new creative and cul- tural hub in the heart of the town centre. Since opening in May last year, Stockroom has wel- comed around 100,000 visits a month. In a statement reveal- ing its interest, Stockport Council said: “Against that backdrop, a successful bid to become UK Town of Cul- ture would allow Stockport TAKING A CREATIVE APPROACH Town explores bid for £3m culture prize Legacy: Stockport’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture delivered major benefits to build on proven success, deepen partnerships and open up even more oppor- tunities for residents, crea- tives and communities across the borough. “A bid would also create opportunities to attract exter- nal funding and investment into the borough. At a time when council finances are under pressure, national cul- tural programmes can help bring in new resources, part- nerships and profile - sup- porting local ambition while maximising the impact of every pound spent. “As plans develop, Stock- port Council and its partners want residents to help shape what a future UK Town of Culture bid could look like. The council is keen to hear what people value about Stockport, what makes the borough distinctive, how cul- ture is experienced in every- day life, what feels missing, and the activities, places and experiences that matter most to them.” People are being encour- aged to share their views by completing an engage- ment form on the coun- cil’s website. Council leader Mark Roberts said: “Stockport’s transformation shows the power of culture to shape places and bring communi- ties together. “From our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture to the opening of Stockroom, we’ve seen first-hand how creativity can energise our town and build pride across the borough. “Bidding for UK Town of Culture is about taking that momentum even further, put- ting Stockport firmly on the national stage and setting out an ambitious vision for the future.” l Continued page two