9 Reasons to Visit Stockport Town Centre Before The End of Summer
There is a lot happening in Stockport over the next few months and we thought it absolutely essential to share them with you! Whether it is visiting new shops, doing arts trails or stopping off at the market – there is a real diverse range of things to do!
1 – Stockport Frog Trail
We’d be shocked if you haven’t heard about this one. Totally Stockport (Stockport’s Business Improvement District) have organised a fantastic arts trail across the town centre. 21 frogs have hopped into place and it is your mission to find them all. You can pick up maps from a variety of locations across the town centre including the One Stockport Hub, Merseyway, Stockport Library and a wide number of businesses. The Frogs are here until September so make sure you do not miss out!
2 – Stockport Food & Drink Festival
Between the 3rd and the 5th of September Stockport Town Centre is hosting a fantastic Food & Drink Festival. The event will include over 30 street food traders, live performances from celebrity chefs including Stefan Gates and Jean Christoph Novelli. There will also be a free to attend performance by Mr Bloom and his band at Stockport Plaza.
3 – Mount Recylemore
Located at Stockport Exchange (next to Stockport train station) Mount Recylemore is an art installation funded by local business Music Magpie. The artwork is created out of approximately 20,000 pieces of electronic waste and is sculpted to look like the G7 leaders. The point of the work is to get local people talking about e-waste and how best they can recycle their unused tech. The installation will remain until September so make sure you head over and take a look.
4 – Visit the new shops on the Underbanks
New businesses continue to open their doors in Stockport town centre and the Underbanks is not an exception to the rule. Stockport Underbank is going through an incredible renaissance with new bars, shops, restaurants and more. We recommend you visit and help support the new businesses that have opted to set up on one of our favourite local streets.
5 – Visit Foodie Friday, Stockport Makers Market & Vintage Village
In Stockport we have a number of events taking place each month that really are worth venturing into town for. Stockport Makers Market takes place on the first Saturday of the month and brings in a curated selection of artisan traders ranging from handmade cakes to locally brewed beer. The Second Sunday of the month is Vintage Village, based in the marketplace, and providing a huge variety of vintage items inside the market hall and out. The last Friday of the month brings the crowd favourite Foodie Friday offering a selection of street food and live music.
6 – Stockport Enduro & Cycling Festival
On September 18/19th Stockport is hosting its first Stockport Enduro & Cycling Festival. The Enduro race itself is taking place on the Sunday. There will be a number of races leading up to the final elite race taking place later in the afternoon. Expect to see athletes from all over the country racing down Stockport’s iconic steps, meandering through the tight turns of the Underbanks and racings through the market place and Redrock. The race route will be throughout the town centre allowing a wide range of viewing locations. Located in St Peters Square there will also be a range of free activities including live performance from Fusion Extreme, a stunt BMX crew doing jumps and tricks.
7 – Visit Stockport Underbanks Street Art
Throughout the next few weeks new street art installations are being added to the Underbanks by Totally Stockport and the Heritage Fund. This will include an array of murals adding interest to the ever growing cultural quarter. Artists from all over the country will be taking part to create unique pieces that will connect to Stockport and the history of the area. The first completed work is photographed below!
8 – Visit Stockport Gin’s new shop and Distillery
Stockport Gin have opened a town centre shop and distillery on St Petersgate. You can visit to buy a range of local produced craft gin and also sign up to take part in a distillery tour. We recommend the tour as it is great to see local makers at work!
9 – Merseybay
As the pun suggests Merseyway has been converted into a small seaside resort offering a beach, seaside food stalls, Ice cream and a selection of small rides targeted at children and families. Who doesn’t love a high street sand pit!