http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoXwTj9w8Ms
Stockport has successfully bid to become a ‘Portas Pilot’.
Mary Portas, from the BBC series ‘Mary Queen of Shops’ carried out an independent review of high streets last year and is working with the Government to offer extra help to towns with the most innovative ideas to boost their high streets.
Stockport’s bid focused on encouraging specialist shops, markets and creative industries within the historic Markets and Underbanks area of the town centre.
Councillor Sue Derbyshire, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “This is fantastic news for Stockport. It’s a testament to the enthusiasm, commitment and inspiration of local businesses, market traders, organisations and residents, who worked with the council to make ours a winning bid.
“But this is only the start. Work establishing our new ‘town team’ – made up of all the town centre partners- has already begun. They will work hard to get the best for the town centre, reduce the number of empty shops and develop an exciting new cultural quarter around our unique historic market area.
“Today’s news and the work already underway on office quarter Grand Central and plans for a new town centre leisure development, means exciting times ahead for Stockport.”