Stockport Independent Issue 207

SEPTEMBER 2026 2 No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2026 . This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR: Mike Hulme mike@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT: JayneMeadowcroft 01204 478812 / 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk ADVERTISING: Robin Atkins 07767 840274 robin@cheshireindependent.co.uk CONTACT US GREATER Manchester Police made two arrests for breaches of Sexual Harm Prevention Orders in Stockport thanks to Live Facial Recognition (LFR) equipment. The equipment scans people’s faces with alerts triggered for pre-registered reasons – such as when people are wanted, missing or subject to an order. Officers were deployed to Stockport town centre with LFR as part of the local neighbourhood team’s wider work addressing problems in the area. Greater Manchester Police said: “Specific operations – including the ongoing ASB-smashing Operation Rimini – has resulted in doz- ens of arrests and countless charges over the last year, while vital work with partners has helped address the core roots of many problems.” During the four hour deployment, thousands of faces were scanned, with four triggering alerts. Images of faces that do not trigger alerts are deleted almost instantly. The four alerts triggered were all for people with Sex- ual Harm Prevention Orders in place – with two men – aged 38 and 41– subsequently being arrested on suspicion of breaching the conditions of their respective order. LFR has been used at events across Manchester from con- certs to football matches and is utilised in town centres to create an extra layer of secu- rity for local people. Inspector Jason Holmwood, from our Stockport district, said: “Our Live Facial Rec- ognition deployment in NEW and improved Bee Network bus services have been introduced, connecting communities with Stockport town centre, Manchester Airport and the wider city region. New routes, service changes and later travel options are being introduced across Stockport as part of the next phase of Bee Network bus improvements. The improvements include: ● A new 377 service, con- necting Woodford Garden Village with Stockport town centre. ● Changes to the 378 and 379 services (Stockport to Cheadle Hulme circular, improving the local bus network servingcommuni- ties in the borough. ● A new 192-night bus, meaning 24 hour service operating on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and providing a late-night connection between Stockport andManchester. ● Enhanced 368 connec- tions between Stockport, Wythenshawe and Manchester Airport, which are expected to follow in early 2027. The new 377 will provide a direct public transport link between homes at Woodford Garden Village and Stockport town centre. The introduction of the 192-night bus will also give residents, workers and visitors more options for trav- elling later at night. Cllr Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport and Chair of the Stockport Bee Network Steering Group, said: “These improvements are positive news for Stockport and will give residents more options for travelling around the borough and across GreaterManchester. “As Chair of the Stockport Bee Network Steering Group, I have worked closely with Transport for Greater Manchester and Bee Network colleagues to improve thenet- work in our borough. “Throughthosediscussions, I have consistently champi- oned better connections for Stockport residents andmade sure that the needs of our communities are represented. “The new link from Woodford Garden Village, changes to local services and the introduction of a 192-night bus are important steps forward. “These improvements build on a wider programme of transport investment across Stockport, includingenhance- ments to walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport infrastructure, helping to provide residents with more sustainable and attractive travel choices.” A TEN-DAY programme of music and art returns to Stockport this September, promising ‘biblical’ gigs in the heart of the town. From 17-26 September, over 40 artists are taking to Stockport’s best independ- ent venues – including St Mary’s Church, Stockport Market Hall, Thread and Bask – as part of the Mercury Climbing Festival. Headline artists include The Twilight Sad, BC Camplight andTheOrielles,withnoshort- age of local talent filling the stages by way of The Rolling People andDarcy Hope. Returning for the third year, the event is backed by Totally Stockport, and will include artists, comedians and films shown across the centre. As part of the fixtures, The Merch Market D.I.Y also returns on Sunday 20th September. Across Stockport Market Hall, Thread and Highballer, visitors can expect live bands, dj sets and on-stage interviews amidst artists’ own stalls. All profits from merch sales go directly to the bands. The Merch Market is com- pletely free to attend. Local legends Afflecks Palace will be returning to the stage after a two year hia- tus, playing new music at St Mary’s Church. Hailing from Lancaster, headliners The Lovely Eggs are playing their only performance of the year, for their first appearance in Stockport. STAGECOACH is being accused of holding up major plans to revive Stockport town centre, amid claims the bus com- pany is asking for too much money. The issue is now being esca- lated by Stockport Council over fears more than £40m could be lost. The Stockport 8 develop- ment is one of the largest town centre regeneration projects in the UK. It could see over £350m of investment, and include 1,300 homes as well as new businesses. The development covers a large area to the west of the town’s iconic railway viaduct between the now-finished Weir Mill scheme and the cen- tral railway station. Phase 1 of the scheme will include a mixed residential neighbour- hood of 435 homes and 82 affordable properties. It was hoped the first phase of the scheme would start con- struction in 2026 but the plans SURGICAL teams at Stockport NHS Foun- dation Trust have intro- duced innovative new voice recognition tech- nology which is set to improve patient safety. The Voice-Care system is being introduced as a pilot scheme, with Stockport NHS the first trust in the country to use it in a surgi- cal setting. Voice-Care is a hands-free technology which allows surgical teams to complete critical safety checklists simply by talking, eliminat- ing manual paperwork and ensuring 100% compliance with WHO (World Health Organisation) surgical safety standards. It prevents critical steps from being forgotten, reduces the risk of human error, and removes the need for medical staff to record WHO SSC (Surgical Safety Checklist) notes manually. Festival returns Tech improves safety New bus services How‘Stockport 8’ development site might look (Image: Stockport Council) COUNCIL’S £41M ROW could now be delayed. This is because Stagecoach are asking for too muchmoney in relation to their depots in the town cen- tre, according to a new Stock- port council report. Coun Micheala Meikle, Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Skills, said: “Our focus remains on reach- ing a negotiated outcome with the leaseholder, while protect- ing the delivery of a project that will bring new homes, jobs, investment and long- term benefits for Stockport and its people. “However, a scheme of this scale and importance cannot be left open to unnecessary delay. Seeking approval to prepare for the possible use of compulsory purchase powers ensures the council has the appropriate tools available, if they are ultimately needed, to keep this major regeneration project moving to schedule.” However a Stagecoach spokesperson said: “We remain engaged in ongoing, positive discussions with Stockport Metropolitan Bor- ough Council regarding the voluntary surrender of an ele- ment of our lease in advance of its expiry in 2046. “Both parties continue to work collaboratively to sup- port local regeneration goals while ensuring the unin- terrupted delivery of local bus services.” Documents brought before councillors at a meeting on September 3 show the local authority want to buy two bus depot sites in the area to deliver both the first and third phases of the scheme. This is ahead of a cabinet decision on September 15. Despite tenant Stagecoach agreeing in principle with the local authority, a coun- cil report said no agreement had been reached ‘despite sus- tained efforts over a prolonged period’, warning that ‘this is resulting in potential signifi- cant delays to the delivery of a major regeneration project for Stockport’. There are plans to relocate the bus depot further west near Cheadle which will be owned by Transport for Greater Manchester. However the council said Stagecoach’s position ‘is that it will not enter into the required legal agreement unless it is a paid a sum that the council’s advisers consider is significantly in excess of the sum to which it is entitled’. Now councillors at a scru- tiny committee are expected to comment on the report before it goes to Stockport council’s cabinet. Officers are asking for permission to take all necessary steps to acquire the site, including the possible use of compulsory purchase powers to buy it without Stagecoach’s permission. LFR aims to make communities safer (Image: Greater Manchester Police) Live Facial Recognition leads to two arrests Stockport on 12 August deliv- ered positive results, with two arrests made and a signifi- cant amount of constructive engagement with members of the public. “The technology is a valu- able tool that helps us locate wanted individuals and pro- tect our communities, while officers remain on hand to explain how it works and answer any questions people may have. “ It was particularly encouraging to see the posi- tive response from residents, businesses and visitors throughout the day. “These conversations are an important part of ensur- ing transparency and building public confidence. “LFR supports our neigh- bourhood policing activity by helping us target those who pose the greatest risk, while allowing officers to focus their time on keeping people safe and preventing crime.”