Stockport Source Issue 4

issue four

WELCOME Well, there’s no doubt that this is the Stockportiest issue of Source for Stockport we’ve yet produced. Our front cover offers a glimpse of what you’ll encounter on the Robinson’s Brewery Tour, but that’s not even half the story.

Alongside the shiny new kit are many examples of the wooden and copper equipment that was used until just a couple of years ago. And behind the visitor centre, Robinson’s have Stockport’s best kept secret: their cask ale bar which happens to do damn good food too.

We also report on the progress being made in regenerating the newly branded Old Town under the Portas scheme and look how some of that money has already been put to fruitful use. Then we stay in the Old Town to enjoy the monthly Foodie Friday event in the market place. With a varied line-up of food being cooked outside the market hall and entertainment provided within it, it’s a cracking night out.

Finally, we’re about as Stockporty as you can possibly get when we visit the mayor in his chambers at The Town Hall. Not to discuss politics but Stockport’s musical heritage. It makes for a great read.

Publishing Director Publishing Director Editor Marketing Director Photographer

Paul Taylor Chris Roberts Paul Day Heather Roberts Matt McNulty

07901 557788 07805 149850 07981 086684 07790 634011 07757 287285

5

News

Bridgefield gets the go-ahead

7

What’s On

The best days out and about

8-9

Fashion

Big Bags

10-11

Attractions

We do the Robinsons’ brewery tour

12

The Old Town

An update from the Wider Town Meeting

13

Foodie Friday

It’s getting bigger and better in the Market

14-15

Interiors

Love your living room

16-17

In-toto

New owners under The Garrick

18-19

Kian Egan

The Westlife star’s plans for the future

20-21

The Mayor

Chris Murphy remembers the 60s

22-23

Travel

Eating out. A long way out

25

Pet Lodger

Creating a community of animal lovers

26

Lifestyle

A flotation tank lands in Handforth

31

Music

Streaming comes of age

paul@shoutmediauk.com chris.roberts@shoutmediauk.com paul.day@shoutmediauk.com heather.roberts@shoutmediauk.com signol1000@ntlworld.com

Stockport Office 0161 244 9896 Wilmslow Office 01625 541106 www.stockportsource.co.uk @StockportSource Stockport Source

3

news

BRIDGEFIELD PLANS APPROVED

S

tockport Council’s Executive has approved plans for a major leisure development in Stockport town centre, known as Bridgefield. Plans for the site - which is located between Merseyway Shopping centre and the M60 - include a nine-screen cinema, food and drink outlets, shops and a new 400-space multi-storey car park. Refurbishment of the existing Debenhams, improvements to the frontages of surrounding buildings and improved public areas are also a part of the proposals.

Councillor Iain Roberts, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “Leisure activities such as the cinema and restaurants will bring more people into the town centre, providing more custom for existing shops and encouraging visitors to stay into the evening. “ The Council will borrow money to fund the development and the income from rents, business rates and growth in car parking revenue will be used to repay the loan. The development is part of the Council’s ‘Investing in Stockport’ programme – a plan to invest in key projects throughout the borough which will generate economic growth, create jobs into the future and build strong communities. The Council plans to appoint a contractor in autumn 2014, start work on site in early 2015 and be open for business by autumn 2016. For more information visit www.stockport.gov.uk/bridgefield.

STRAWBERRY MEMORIES REQUIRED

S

tockport Council in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and Manchester Histories Festival (MHF) are working on a research project about Strawberry Studios, celebrating its heritage by collecting the reminiscences of people who remember its heyday.

Later this month MHF will be collecting people’s memories of Strawberry Studios, with the Oral History recordings being used to help create a new interactive exhibition at Stockport Story Museum. A small touring exhibition will promote the heritage of Strawberry Studios at each of the recording sessions and at a Celebration Day at Manchester Town Hall on 29 March 2014.

A number of people have been trained

by MMU to record people’s oral histories, and they are now ready to start recording memories. No matter how discreet or comprehensive your stories about Strawberry Studios, they would like you to share them.

They are especially keen to hear from anyone

who worked or recorded at Strawberry Studios between 1967 and 1993, but your story may be simply about an encounter in the local pub across the road or outside on the street. They’d like to hear from everyone.

Anyone interested in sharing their memories of Strawberry Studios should contact Janet Hay on T: 0161 218 1168 (Mon – Thurs) or email Janet.Hay@stockport.gov.uk with their name, contact number, date and time available to attend one of the following recording sessions.

Saturday 22 March: 10.00am - 1.00pm, Hat Works Saturday 22 March: 1.00pm - 4.00pm, Stockport Central Library Monday 24 March: 5.00pm - 9.00pm, Stockport College Tuesday 25 March, 10.00am - 1.00pm, Staircase House Thursday 27 March, 1.00pm - 5.00pm, Hat Works Saturday 29 March, 10.00am - 1.00pm, Hat Works, Saturday 29 March, 1.00pm - 4.00pm, Stockport Central Library If you are unavailable on the dates above contact Janet, she may be able to make alternative arrangements with you.

A STATELY MAKEOVER

A

dlington Hall and Gardens have completed phase one of a comprehensive refurbishment programme in the Hunting Lodge. The first floor lounge bar has been transformed into a contemporary space that still works harmoniously with the existing oak beamed dining room.

Andrew Powell General Manager commented “The refurbishment allows us to offer more choices with dining and bespoke events. It also brings a modern feel to the Hunting Lodge that is complimented by the grandeur of the Hall.

The feedback so far has been very positive from clients old and new. We’re very pleased with the results.’”

Adlington Hall is available for weddings, functions and bespoke events. It is also open on selected Sundays throughout the year for Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea. Adlington Hall & Gardens, Mill Lane, Adlington, Cheshire, SK10 4LF 01625 827595 www.adlingtonhall.com

5

what’s on

MARCH EXHIBITIONS Saints & Sinners Paintings from the John Benjamin Smith Collection Until 26 October 2014 Stockport Story, SK1 1ES This exhibition explores virtue and vice as depicted in the John Benjamin Smith Collection, gifted to Stockport in 1879. Iconic religious scenes, stories of martyrdom and vistas of classical ruins provide an interesting backdrop to the story of the man behind the collection. Smith was an MP for Stockport for over 20 years and one of the founding fathers of Stockport’s Museums. He collected these paintings during his grand tour of Italy.

Suitable for all ages. Free admission Contact: 0161 218 1460 4th March What’s Hot – Laura Aspit- Livens Recently graduated from the London College of Fashion, Laura Apsit Livens is quickly making a name for herself.

She has worked for Philip Treacy making hats for the Royal Wedding and labels such as Givenchy, Armani Privé, Valentino and Alexander McQueen.

In 2012 she set up her own label in Chester and has made pieces for the Duchess of Westminster, Paloma Faith and Rita Ora. Suitable for all ages Hat Works, Wellington Road South, Stockport SK3 0EU Admission free 10:00 - 17:00

EVENTS Every Friday 10:00 - 12:00 Stockport College Work Club Work Clubs provide an independent local opportunity for residents seeking employment to get help with job search techniques, developing CV’s, and interview skills.

Places on this weekly Work Club can be booked by telephoning the College on Tel: 0161 958 3678.

Wellington House, Stockport College, St Thomas Place.

5th March Evening tours of the Air Raid Shelters Tours include areas not seen on the public tour. A unique chance to discover the extent of Stockport’s air raid

preparations. Suitable for adults and children aged 10+ Booking Essential: 0161 474 1940 Stockport Air Raid Shelters, Chestergate.

Adults. £6.10 Concessions & under 16s £5.10 5th March and every Wednesday Blitz Jive Classes It’s easy to learn with a friendly mix of teaching and freestyle sessions.

Stockport Town Hall Ballroom Admission: £7.00 on the door Beginners class: 7.30pm. Intermediate class: 8.45pm. Dancing until 10.30pm.

No partner required. Bar open Tickets and info: 079 6318 4578 £7.00 19:30 - 22:30 10th March Stockport Central Library Reading Group Whatever your reading taste we have a reading group for you. Our groups are informal and relaxed. Discover new authors and titles, widen your reading choice and meet other readers in a friendly, relaxed and informal setting.

Suitable for all ages. For more information please ring 0161 217 6009 or visit www.stockport.gov.uk/libraries.

Stockport Central Library, Wellington Road South,. SK1 3RS Admission free 12:30 - 13:30 10th March Social Dance Enjoy yourself dancing in Stockport Town Hall’s beautiful ballroom.

The bar is open and a charity raffle has also been organised. The Wurlitzer Organ will be played by Charles Brown.

For more information please visit the dancing at the town hall web page. £3.70 19:30 - 23:00 12th March and every Wednesday Tea Dance An afternoon of modern sequence and ballroom dancing. Refreshments available as well as a charity raffle.

New dancers and group parties always welcome. Groups of over six people please contact 0161 474 3451 for more information.

Stockport Town Hall Ballroom,

£2.40 13:30 - 16:00 16th March Sunday Wurlitzer Organ Concert Come and listen to Stockport’s famous Wurlitzer being played.

Organist: Len Rawle Admission £6 for LTOT Members and £8 for non members.

Unreserved seating. Bar Open Stockport Town Hall Ballroom 14.30 - 17.00 18th March Prom Fayre Year 10 and 11 students from all Stockport Schools and surrounding areas are invited to attend this Prom Fayre.

There will be a catwalk show and over 30 stalls featuring prom wear, accessories, hair and make up demonstrations, spray tanning and nail technicians.

Stockport Academy, Heathbank Road, Cheadle Heath SK3 0UP Admission free 19:00 - 21:00 18th March It’s Rhymetime Take your babies and toddlers to these fun, lively and noisy sessions.

Rhymetimes are a great way to enjoy rhymes and songs. Refreshments and baby changing facilities are provided.

For more information on this event tel 0161 217 6009 or Stockport Central Library Admission free Time : 10:30 - 11:15

The Black Lion Training Centre, Hillgate, Central Stockport Free admission 09:30 - 11:30 22nd - 29th March Remembering Strawberry Studios Strawberry Studios Picture 1987 Manchester Histories Festival is calling for people from across Greater Manchester and beyond with memories of Strawberry Studios, no matter how discreet or comprehensive to come and share their stories at a series of recording days throughout March. See News (page 5) for more information, 22 March Ken Dodd’s Happiness Show Comedy legend, National Treasure and Patron of The Plaza Ken Dodd, returns to the North West’s home of live entertainment for a tattifelarius evening of laughter and songs presented by the King of Comedy plus special guests Stockport PLAZA 25th March Hallidays Business Forum Hallidays Business Builder Forums are aimed at helping business owners grow and develop their businesses.

At each meeting, one of the Hallidays Partners presents on a different business development topic.

Hallidays Accountants LLP, Riverside House, Kings Reach Business Park, Yew Street, Stockport, SK4 2HD 07:45 - 10:00

20 March The Fureys & Davey Arthur Making a welcome return to the Plaza, the legends of Irish music and song The Fureys & Davey Arthur join us an emotive evening of songs that guarantee a night to remember Stockport PLAZA

26 March Psychic Sally: On The Road Star of Sky LIVING’s ‘Psychic Sally On The Road’, Sally Morgan returns to the Plaza with her outstanding 2014 nationwide tour. This unique theatrical experience should leave you feeling uplifted and enlightened...as they say seeing is believing!

Stockport PLAZA

21st March Stockport MIND Work Club Work Clubs provide an independent local opportunity for residents seeking employment to drop-in and get help with job search techniques, developing CV’, interview skills and 1-2-1 support. This Work Club is available on a drop-in basis, aimed at customers working with Stockport MIND.

30 March Bolshoi Live Screening: Marco Spada This fresh and cheerful ballet recounts the adventures of Marco Spada, a bandit with a big heart who claims to be an aristocrat. His daughter Angela is unaware of his clandestine activities...

Stockport PLAZA

7

TOTES AMAZING This month we’re all about practicality. We might not be quite ready to fill our favourite big bag with sun cream and beach towels, but down at the market there’s nothing more sensible.

Lightweight orange fold-away shopper with leather handles from a-shu.co.uk £14.99

Black purple tweed tote bag

by Betty Jackson at Debenhams £55.00

Seedling Design Your Own Tote Bag Kit from John Lewis.

Includes a cotton tote bag, fabric paints, glitter glue, fabrics, ribbon, craft glue and basic instructions. £29.99

Blue ostrich strap tote from Matalan £20.00

Part of the new Corinna Collection from Radley. 15% of the price goes to the British Heart Foundation £209.00 8

fashion

Coral Mini Tote Bag from New Look £15.99

Neoprene Shopper bag from Topshop £28.00

Best Of British Brown Leather Tote from Marks & Spencer £350.00

Womens Leather Bag in French navy. From Joules £169.00

TU Tan Tote from Sainsbury £18.00

Simple Tote Bag from Cheap Monday via ASOS £35.00

9

attractions

ROBINSONS BREWERY T

W

Cheers Barry!

10

hen it came to celebrating their 175th birthday last year, the people at Robinsons Brewery - people bearing the name Robinson - decided that they would look to the future while simultaneously celebrating the past. To this end an investment of around £10m saw the Stockport-based brewery refurbished to an eye-watering standard, while a visitors’ centre was created and brewery tours organised.

more than eight can book for other times. Your writer was among a party of six who turned up for the 1.30pm departure on a Tuesday. Robinsons limit the number of online bookings to 15 per tour and these often sell out, so for the busier times you want to make sure your name’s on the door. And its not the front door: the tours start from the Visitor Centre, which has it’s own entrance at the back of the site, towards the market.

Referred to by locals as Robbies, the building is properly known as the Unicorn Brewery, a name it takes from the Unicorn Inn which originally stood on this site. William Robinson bought the pub in 1838 and the rest is history. A history very vividly played out here.

The Visitor Centre is a superbly presented room which is unquestionably the focal point of the brewery’s development as far as the public are concerned. Shown in the main picture above, the generously proportioned room serves as a reception, a museum and a shop, all three functions seamlessly intertwined. And while we’re here, the large copper tank in the above photograph may be a display item now but it was an operational piece of equipment just a couple of years ago, the battered surface being the result of regular and powerful collisions with blocks of sugar that were

Launched less than a year ago, the tours have proved hugely successful, with 49 of the 52 current Trip Advisor reviews rating it as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ . The tours run three times a day from Tuesday to Saturday and once on a Sunday, although private parties of

Y TOUR thrown into the vigorously boiling mix, back in the day when blocks of sugar were an actual ingredient.

It was our tour guide, Barry, who told us all this after an initial introduction to the Robinsons back-story.

Then it was literally upwards and onwards as we climbed 50-odd stairs into the brewery itself. The brewing process has a cosy relationship with gravity, so starting on the top floor is logical. Fascinatingly, the modernisation of the brewery has not killed its heritage. On almost every level the gleaming new equipment has been installed alongside the old copper and wooden contraptions, providing a fascinating contrast between the then and the now.

The previous brewery tours I’ve experienced were at multinationals in Canada and Spain and both were big on the stainless steel and small on the character.

Robinsons have balanced the two perfectly.

Before we set off Barry had explained to me that he liked the larger tour groups because people seemed

willing to ask questions but our group was quite fiesty and I myself challenged his assertion that the brewing smell which used to hang over Hillgate was in someway pleasant.

You certainly don’t need to be an enthusiastic home-brewer or a beer nerd to get something out of the tour. As well as explaining the processes, the tour provides an insight into social change, a slice of local history and some intriguing details. I won’t rattle through them here because that’s Barry’s job, but keep an ear out for the origins of the term “barm cake.” And the bore hole - there’s a thing.

The tour takes just over an hour but you’ll want to spend some time in the Cask Ale and Food Bar. The three bottle tops you were given at the start of the tour are exchanged for a third of a pint each, the idea being that you select three small glasses of the beers that interest you, or exchange the lot for a pint. Just don’t have the lager, that wouldn’t be right.

For people who live and work in the centre of Stockport this area is perhaps the most surprising. It’s not part of the tour, it’s a living, breathing commercial operation in its own right, albeit one that’s hidden away through the back of the Visitor Centre.

A by-product of Robinsons’ huge investment is their ability to brew beers in short runs. This enabled them to create their own short-run brews such as those in the recently launched seasonal beer range.

On March 1st Hoptimum Prime replaced Hannibal’s Nectar and will be available until Brazilian takes over in time for the World Cup. Add these to the extensive range of draught beers as well as speciality bottled beers such as those conceived with Simon Rimmer to go with specific foods, there’s plenty to sup on. There’s ample parking nearby but really, go on the bus.

Book your brewery tour online or call 0161 612 4100 for more information. www.robinsonsvisitorscentre.co.uk

11

old town

NEW LIFE FOR THE OLD TOWN

T

his month the Portas Pilot Delivery Group held the first Wider Town Team Meeting at which they brought local stakeholders up to date with its activities, briefing those present on what has already taken place and showing us what is yet to come.

GM Ted Doan says of it, “Since the first screenings shown on the Digital Projector we have welcomed new and diverse audiences who have shared in satellite broadcasts of theatre productions, private screenings and specialist film festivals such as Screen Stockport and Grimm Up North.”

The meeting took place at the Seven Miles Out Art Centre in the Market Place. The creation of such a centre was a component part of Stockport’s original Portas Pilot Bid and will, when refurbishment is complete, represent a creative hub in the heart of the Old Town.

The main focus of anticipation was the unvieling of the prospective Old Town website which will be found at www. stockportoldtown.co.uk. The work on this had been undertaken by Ahoy, who created the Old Town branding shown on this page as well as the website. The idea beng that independent traders in the Old Town will upload information pertaining to their business.

A variety of speakers addressed a respectable number of attendees, beginning with Matthew Kershaw from Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, who is a voting member of the group. Sophie Tyrrell told us about the Winter Fireside Celebration Event - one of the first funded projects - which drew about 300 people to the market, many of whom hadn’t visited before and thereby succeeded in its aim to promote the Old Town as a family-friendly places offering creative experiences..

Trudy McLindon announced her series of free workshops for businesses in the area which will look at what low cost or no cost things traders can do to help improve business.

We were then given a brief explanation of the Stockport Plaza’s digital projector, the acquistion of which was aided by £20,000 of funding. This is already proving a major asset to what is probably Stockport’s best loved buiding. The Plaza’s

Ongoing and futurte Portas projects were also discussed, including gateway arches at the entrances to Stockport’s Old Town area as well as a committment to public art. On the www.skportaspilot.co.uk website this is explained thus: “We are looking to work in partnership with North West based artists to create public art in and around Stockport’s Old Town, in the form of murals, mosaics and contemporary street art. Each piece of artwork should be designed to be exhibited on outside walls and the interior of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs in the area. The theme of each artwork should be based around Stockport’s rich and varied cultural, musical, social and political history, sharing the town’s legacy in an extremely visual and engaging way.” www.skportaspilot.co.uk www.sevenmilesoutarts.co.uk

BACKGROUND In April 2012, Stockport applied to be a Portas Pilot town, with Stockport Council acting as the accountable body. The town submitted both a written bid and an accompanying video to the government and, as a result, was successfully awarded Portas Pilot status.

As a result, Stockport’s town team received £100,000 to develop the ideas outlined in the town’s bid, as well as another

12

£100,000 of capital match-funding from Stockport Council.

Stockport was also awarded another £100,000 of High Street Innovation money, awarded to towns across the country to combat the problem of empty shops on the high street.

In April 2013, members of Stockport’s Town Team voted for a new decision-making project group, which will manage the delivery of the town’s Portas Pilot projects.

Stockport’s original Portas Pilot bid was focused on the Market and Underbanks area of the town, and the new Portas Pilot Delivery Group identified a core area, described as Stockport’s Old Town, in which all Portas Pilot funded projects must be delivered . The map above shows the boundaries of this area, which includes the Market Place, Great and Little Underbank, Bridge Street Brow, Lower Hillgate, Churchgate, and St. Petersgate.

old town

FOODIE FRIDAY AT THE MARKET

F

oodie Friday has been taking place in Stockport Market on the last Friday of the month since May last year. It was launched by the Council in support of last year’s Love Your Local Market campaign (which runs from May 14th - 28th this year, just so you know) As the editor of this magazine I must shamefacedly admit that my recent visit, on the last day of February, was also my first. But you know, what with kids’ football training and going to press and all that... anyway.

We scorched into town on the 192. The event runs from 6pm-9pm and we planned to be there long enough to entirely justify leaving the car at home. It was a perfect late winter evening, dry and crisp with enough of a chill in the air to make the Market Hall a comfortingly snug refuge. The food vendors were lined up on the piazza between the Market Hall and the Food Produce Hall, a row of industrious cooks flipping their ostrich burgers, tossing their paella pans, shredding their pork or scattering toppings on their popadom-crisp pizzas.

It was immediately clear that this was a good turn-out, even at 6.30pm you needed to indulge in a bit of polite jostling to get a view of the food. And if the initial signs were good, inside the Market Hall it became clear that the evening was enthusiastically picking up pace .

So there’s food, and there’s booze! Answering the first big question of the evening was High Peak Beer, a permanent stallholder in the market but, more importantly, one who was staying open into

the evening. High Peak offer 260 different beers so you will have to accept that the queue might move a bit sluggishly as new customers discuss their options but there’s nothing to stop you stocking up when you get there. I had three of those little ones that looked German and then another one that was a bit taller. Clinical reviewing here. Al Murray would have approved of the table-top wine vendor who was a temporary addition to the indoor market. My wife certainly did.

So there’s food, there’s booze and there’s shopping! For the first time at a Foodie Friday, four young traders from the Teenage Market had set up stalls inside and seemed to be doing a fair trade. Another vendor there for the evening was Chilli Junkies, specialising in things you don’t want in your eyes. His Extra Hot Peri Peri marinade reduced my kids to contemplative silence the following day. Result.

So there’s food, there’s booze, there’s shopping and there’s entertainment! This aspect is probably the backbone of the event because ironically, the big thing about Foodie Friday isn’t the food, it’s the community. Even though many of the people I spoke to hadn’t been there before, the event enjoys a social club atmosphere, with music and comedy the focal point of it. This is what encourages people to linger, although with the Teenage Market stalls, High Peak Beer and the chilli man, people still scattered themselves throughout this end of the building, turning the grand old hall into something approaching a house party for people in warm clothes.

The next one will be on March 28th, between 6pm and 9pm. It’s bound to be bigger and busier still. Get along there.

Photos by kind permission of Martin Bain, comedy promoter for www.alaughinstockport.co.uk

13

interiors

Santa Clara Tahoe dining table, made from reclaimed pine. £749.00 from Arighi Bianchi (H78cm x W225cm x D100cm)

Aller Sideboard from Bridger & Buss , the new furniture wing of the joinery company Tech-42. Available in solid oak naturally treated or spray painted solid pine.

From £1295 - £1895

Sweet Apple Pie Cushion from BHS 45 x 45cm £20

Content by Conran Counterbalance Bookcase £599 from John Lewis (H180 x W70 x D30cm)

Contemporary Tapered Floor Lamp with navy shade.. £127.20 from Marks & Spencer (Height: 150.5cm)

MASSIVE RANGE OF QUALITY FLOOR COVERINGS UNDER ONE ROOF

���������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������

Jute Knitted Pod from Next (H35cm x W50cm x D50cm) £70 Larger size also available

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ������������������� ������������������������������������������������

Red wool ‘Punk’ rug from Debenhams 120cm x 170cm or 150cm x 230cm £152.00/£252.00

������������������������������������������������������

�������������

������������������������

16

IN-TOTO STOCKPORT

J

ill and Dave Lee acquired In-toto Stockport last August. The business, established in 1985, is one of the oldest in a national network of franchise businesses. You get the peace of mind of knowing your kitchen is supplied by a national company, but the benefit of dealing directly with a couple who own and run the entire business themselves. You get a KBSA guarantee, and a personal touch.

In-Toto Stockport has long since moved from its original home on St Petersgate and can now be found under the Garrick Theatre on the A6. Jill explained to us how her and Dave ended up there, “Dave’s a builder and I’m from a sales background. Dave has worked in the area for the last 15 years, so when we decided to do something together, the kitchen and bathroom business was a perfect match.” Couple those two, and join them onto an experienced building company and you’ve got a business uniquely placed to provide peace of mind to any customers. A genuine one stop shop!

Once Jill and Dave had taken over at In-Toto Stockport, the original bathroom displays were replaced with a fully functioning wet room area, bath and furniture displays. Jill explains, “we want people to see how a wetroom actually works. Our bath and sink taps work. If we can show customers what we do and how we do it, we feel they are more likely to put their faith in us. Every job we do looks like the job we have done in our own showroom, be it a kitchen, a bathroom, or a two storey extension!”

Elsewhere around the surprisingly large showroom, the fresh redecoration gives a more homely and inviting feel. The kitchen displays occupy the majority of the space, and they are all well presented, as though a family might wander in at any moment and start making breakfast. Something they could very well do, because everything in the displays works as it would in your home, from ovens to hobs, Quooker taps to sinks.

Jill and Dave are more than happy with the way the business is developing, “A lot of the work we’re getting is based on the fact that we can offer the whole package. Other In-Totos may have a strong link with a local builder, but they’re not the main contractor on the job. In-Toto Stockport is the builder, is the kitchen supplier and is the bathroom installer. More than that, though, if you want an honest, local company that is a registered installer of Nu-Heat underfloor heating systems, that can offer supplied and fit Vaillant boilers with a seven year guarantee and install a GRP roof with a 25 year guarantee from world leaders Polyroof, you are in the right place. So if you wanted your new kitchen or bathroom in a new extension, we could

interiors

do the whole thing. Naturally, if you just want us to fit a kitchen and bathroom we are more than happy to do so. If you have your own fitters, we supply only, as well.”

One of the big bonus points selling quality German and English kitchens is that repeat business does come around, even if a little slowly, as Jill explains. “We get people coming through the doors saying they bought an In-Toto kitchen 20 or 25 years ago and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. They just want a new one, because it has dated.”

In-Toto Stockport’s reputation hangs on the two hooks of design and build quality. They are delivered as rigid carcasses, ready-built, dowelled and glued - a fitter’s dream in fact. Whatever style of kitchen you choose, these carcasses are a constant, it’s the door finish that makes the difference. Inherent in the design is a versatility that means the kitchens can adapt to the way people’s living habits change. “More and more people are creating a living space. They’re bringing the living area into the kitchen”, adds Dave, “where there’s an island for cooking and an entertainment area with sofas. That’s the way that people are living these days.”

And while the customer’s ambitions are completely respected, Jill and Dave are professional enough to ensure that the client’s brief is practical, “We had a lady who knew exactly what she wanted but when we got it on the computer it just didn’t work. The ovens would have been too far away from any surface where she could put pans down, so we had to recommend a rethink. We want the space to work for them.”

Jill and Dave have already been quick to connect with the local community. Oliver Dunn has turned up to make truffles and chocolate shapes immediately prior to Valentine’s Day and the opening event, attended by the mayor, featured a Neff chef hosting a live cookery event in the fully working kitchen display at the front of the showroom. Along with Siemens and Miele, Neff are the main lines of cooking equipment In-Toto offer (although they will supply other brands). All the tools for cooking, showering and, well, living, are on display at In-Toto Stockport. When you visit you can see for yourself how a cutting-edge induction hob can help you boil a pan of milk quicker than anything you’ve seen before, or you can stroll through your level access shower room. Jill would love to show you. Dave would love to fit it for you.

22, Wellington Road South, SK4 1AA (under the Garrick) 0161 477 7282 stockport@intoto.co.uk

In-toto offers the following guidelines on investing in your home:

• • • • •

Visit a company that has a showroom so you can inspect the quality of the product and the standard of installation.

Choose a retail member with a track record of good installations and ask to see some past installations.

Be careful about paying in full for your kitchen in advance. You should not pay a deposit of more than 25% and it is likely that you will be required to make an interim payment, ask for a written payment schedule which includes the timings of any interim payment and final retention.

Make sure you have a written quotation that covers every aspect of the job, including fitting, flooring and any structural alterations you may have discussed.

Don’t sign anything unless you are prepared to honour your side of the contract. Some terms and conditions have expensive cancellation clauses. If in doubt contact the KBSA or In-toto.

17

talking point

KIAN EGAN He was one of Westlife. He won last year’s I’m A Celebrity and he’s now embarking on a solo career. Imagine FM’s ChellceAJ sat down with Kian Egan to find out exactly where he’s at.

Obviously Westlife were a big deal, how do you find it now that you’ve gone solo?

I try not to compare them. I think being a member of Westlife is pretty surreal in itself, given how amazingly successful Westlife was and the things that we did over the years were truly incredible so now, I’m not really thinking about that. Westlife to me was the career, this is the cherry on the top. It’s a bit of fun, I’m still enjoying it. So it’s not about having the number ones or the success, it’s because it’s a passion and everyone wants to do things they’re passionate about.

of them aren’t real - not mentioning any names - but you can see that it’s not real, you can see that they don’t have a genuine friendship, that they’re being forced to have a chat and being forced to have a bit of banter together, rather than it naturally happening. The difference with Westlife is that we put it together ourselves, it came from an organic place and it was built on friendship. And obviously as the years went by things changed - not that we ever lost that friendship - but we became a aware of what we were doing.

How nice to be in that position you can kick back, do a single, do and album and not put pressure on yourself...

I could put pressure on myself. People probably expect me to do that and expect me to think that I’m going to have huge success but it’s really not about that. I see this as an amazing opportunity. When my children are older - I only have one little boy at the moment - all I’ll tell them about is Westlife. Then I’ll be like, “oh, and I did this by the way...” But it’s also a pleasure to think that people want me to do what I’m doing as well.

So you’ve got a new single out called Home, a lot of people will think you’ve redone the Westlife song of that name but it’s not is it?

No, it’s a completely different song.

People definitely want you to do it! Would you want your little lad to do it too? To follow in your footsteps?

If that’s what he wanted. I would obviously try and explain to him that it’s not as easy as he thinks it’s going to be, just because his daddy got to do it. The thing I’ve noticed throughout my career is actually how difficult it all is. I don’t think we realised how easy we had it in Westlife, I really don’t. How big it blew up at the start and how we managed to maintain it. I think we thought “oh, this happens to everybody” because when you’re young, 18 or 19, you really don’t know what’s going on.

I think you all kept it real though...

Yes, I think we were real. That’s the thing about Westlife.

And watching other boy bands today I can see that some

18

The main thing I remember about Westlife was you all sitting on stools and doing THE best air grab I have ever seen. Can you talk us through it?

Ha! Yes. You’ve got to do a slow rise, a quick grab, then down you come.

The new album is also called Home, In this context, what are you referring to when you say that?

In my mind it’s about going back to your roots and back to where you come from and hanging out with the people that you really love, that you want to hang around. And it’s also about being out on the road a lot, being away from your family and friends and even though there are loads of people cheering for you every night it really isn’t the same. In Westlife the best gigs were always the gigs our parents were at. It wasn’t different for the fans, but it was different for the people standing on stage. You don’t get to go round every fan after a gig and say “so what did you think of that?” And if you did they’d probably all say it was brilliant but with your friends and family you’ll get a real opinion.

What I have noticed because of that single is that in a band you’re never sure who’s singing where and when, but listening to this I’m suddenly thinking “Oh, that’s his voice, he was really strong in Westlife...

Well it’s funny because I didn’t sing a lot of lead vocals in Westlife so for me this was a fantastic opportunity to prove to a lot of people - including myself - that I can do it. Not sing, I know I can sing, but that I can make a record and sound good. And I’m really proud of it.

And I think even a lot of Westlife fans though “oh, he doesn’t do a lot of singing” and the media’s attitude would be “he was just a backing singer in Westlife” and yes, I was a backing singer in Westlife but we had two World class singers in Shane and Mark and I always thought we should have the best foot forward for the band. Of course, having done this album I’m now thinking I should have put myself forward more, ha!.

I think the single has a Westlife feel, is the album like that?

Yes, a bit. The whole album isn’t a million miles away from Westlife. I mean, first of all, I’m a fan of Westlife. I wanted it to still have that feel, power ballads and so on but to be a bit more rocky, a bit more Bryan Adamsy is how I kind of hear it. Bryan Adams meets Westlife meets Bon Jovi.

Last year you went away from singing and you were crowned King of the Jungle. That must have been crazy for you, did you think for a second you could win it?

No. Not in a million years. I was a fan of I’m a Celebrity, so I knew what the show was all about and I’d watched it year after year. In fact I was asked to go in two years in a row and the first year I said no. Then when I did say yes I thought “if I’m the second or third person out, I’ll be happy” I just didn’t want to come out first, I don’t think anybody wanted to come out first. So I thought I’d go in, have a bit of fun and see what happens. What’s the worst thing that could have happened?

My worst case scenario was that I’d be back doing what I was doing this time last year - sitting on my sofa with my feet up, doing some surfing, taking care of my little boy. Living a pretty simple life. But that’s not what happened.

Have you still got the crown?

No, they wouldn’t let me take that out of Australia. They’re very funny with that type of thing That’s annoying, were you upset about that?

Oh no. It was only a piece of plastic with flowers wrapped round it.

People often say that that sort of experience changes the way they look at life, did it teach you that all that matters is your beautiful wife and your son?

I was always of that opinion anyway. I think doing the things I’ve managed to do in my life, as soon as I had a child a lot of alarm bells went off in my head and I realised that lot of this stuff that I used to stress and worry over really doesn’t matter. And ever since then I’ve always been of that attitude. So I had that attitude going into the jungle, did it make me feel that even more? Absolutely, it made me want to have more children and grow my family, but overall.. The experiences I’ve managed to have in my life are incredibly unique and if this all ends tomorrow I can’t really give out can I? Do you need to be kept grounded?

I think everyone needs to be kept grounded. I go surfing for that. A ten foot wave will put you on the floor, I’ll tell you that much.

You’ve been very busy of the last 12 months, what can we expect from you in the next 12 months?

I have no idea is the honest answer. Everything that’ s happened since last November has been a total shock to me. I’d like to get on stage and do some live stuff. I think that’s the next step musically anyway.

And apart from that I’d like to do more TV presenting. It’s good fun.

It’s... I’m not going to say that, its the wrong word., it’s less... serious.

The music industry is so serious, so cut-throat. TV is a lot more fluffy and a lot more kind.

Kian’s Album ‘Home’ is out on 17th March

19

music

A VERY MUSICAL

MAYOR The current Mayor of Stockport - Councillor Chris Murphy - isn’t simply an avid music fan, he’s a music fan who developed his love of music in some near-legendary Stockport venues. We visited him at The Town Hall to discuss his love of both music and Stockport

A

s pop became rock towards the end of the 1960s Stockport played host to a group of artists who would go on to global fame. From the Manor Lounge (under what is now the carpet shop at the very top of Hillgate), down to the Tabernacle (which stood on what is now a patch of grass opposite Strawberry Studios) to the Sinking Ship on Underbank, the town attracted a disproportionate number of acts who were on the way up. Chris Murphy saw a lot of them...

just had a number one with I Feel Love Comin’ On. Although to be honest, all she did was sing that all night.

So, how old were you when the 60s got going?

I was born in 1950 and my interest in music really began in 1964 when I started watching Juke Box Jury. I remember The Kinks doing You Really Got Me and it was just fabulous. I know I was still at school because I remember getting in trouble for drawing a picture of Dave Davies in my Geography book.

Everyone was a Beatles fan, everyone. And when they split up I was still a big John Lennon fan so it was a bit of a shock when he was killed. I still remember it, I was on nights at the post office at the time.

How many would be in there?

I’m not sure, but it got packed.

Was Stockport quick to jump on the 60s bandwagon?

Yes, I honestly think Stockport was a centre for live gigs even earlier than Manchester was. I look back at the Tabernacle and who I saw there... Pink Floyd, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown - the fire in his stage show was nearly touching the top of the stage, you couldn’t do that now. I saw Robert Plant’s Band of Joy, Long John Baldry’s Steampacket which was made up of Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart and Jess Conrad. Amen Corner were on every other week.

“I sort of became a hippy and we started going to The Stoneground in Gorton” The Mayor - front left

20

Were these bands pretty much unknown at the time?

No, I remember Felice Taylor played there and she’d

Was The Tabernacle Stockport’s major venue at that time?

Well it wasn’t physically big, just look where it used to be, on that bit of grass. It wasn’t big but it was a fabulous venue. The Manor Lounge came first though, the Kinks and The Who played there. It closed around 1966. Then the Tabernacle opened.

Were these places licensed?

No. Just soft drinks. The Sinking Ship was a coffee bar. That was a proper mod place.

And the Tabernacle wasn’t?

Oh it was. I was a mod more than anything - I got a scooter not long after that. I remember the night of the air crash in Hopes Carr as you can imagine that’s right near The Tabernacle and the evening of the air crash they had a minute’s silence in the Tabernacle and it was really respectful. I don’t think you’d get that nowadays. It was a real show of respect.

Was it quite a small scene - the same faces appearing at all the gigs?

Probably. Well there was a lot us from up Brinnington that used to go Was Stockport generally cool?

Yes, you had The Toggery clothes shop down in Mersey Square. Where Debenhams is, that was a row of shops and The Toggery was right in the middle of that. I think it was owned by one of The Hollies.

And when the psychedelic era came along you had Seven Miles Out.

pets

A PETʼS HOME FROM HOME

T

hat dogs love their owners is not some wishful sentiment, but a scientifically-proven fact.

When a dog sees its owner it releases the same hormone, oxytocin, that people release when they’re in love, and breast-feeding mothers release when they see their child.

Because your dog loves you, it hates being apart from you. Anyone who watched ‘Dogs - their secret lives’ on Channel 4, will have seen the astounding statistic that approximately 80% of dogs get stressed when left alone.

Apparently they form stronger bonds with humans than with their own kind, even their own dog-family.

So, what do you do with your dog when you’re out at work for six hours? Or when you want a family day-out but can’t take the dog (or cat, budgie, hamster – even snake)? Like many people, Mike Potts had precisely this problem. Unlike many people, he set about trying to solve it, with a website: www.PetLodger.com.

PetLodger aims to connect pet owners and pet lovers in local communities so that they can help each other out when needed. Mike says: “Many pet owners struggle to know what to do with their pets when they have to be out at work, or on holiday, or even if they have to go in to hospital at short notice. Some people have a close friend or relative who will happily help – but not everyone is so lucky. Even for those who are lucky enough – families are likely to be fine with a few hours of petminding here and there, but not necessarily a whole week or more while they’re owners are off on holiday.

then, of course, there’s the problem of finding a caring temporary home for other types of pets, including the more exotic, for which there is no equivalent to kennels”.

PetLodger is part of a growing phenomenon: a Start Up – a fledgling business kicked-off on a small scale, and in a very simple format – created around a specific purpose or societal ‘need’. PetLodger is Mike’s bright idea shaped into a tangible form – a simple web site and simple call to action: ‘Connect and share’.

Often these Internet upstarts create a real buzz in the community or start a movement – something Mike of course hopes will happen. He says: “Obviously I’d like PetLodger to be a roaring success in its own right, but wouldn’t it be wonderful, in this age of disjointed communities, if PetLodger helped people to find new friends in their own community, if people started talking to their neighbours more – now that’s a vision worth pursuing”.

And it doesn’t stop there: “I’d like PetLodger to be the go-to resource for pet owners, providing advice, information, links, generally informing and connecting communities through the incredible power of the internet - there’s no limit to what you can build if you can get others to believe in your dreams and ambitions as strongly as you do. There’s no reason why PetLodger couldn’t translate into a global phenomenon”.

So if you’re one of those people who struggles finding pet care for short or long periods, join the PetLodger community. It’s free. And it might just be the answer to your needs. www.petlodger.co.uk mike@petlodger.co.uk @petlodgeruk

“I’ve also found that growing numbers of owners really don’t want to put their pets in kennels or catteries while they’re away. No matter how good the care might be, it increasingly seems to be the last resort for many. Dogs are much more treasured family members now compared to say, fifty years ago, when they were often left outside most of the time. And

25

LOOKERS RENAULT STOCKPORT

ST MARYS WAY, STOCKPORT, CHESHIRE SK1 4AW TEL: 0161 333 3366

WWW.LOOKERS.CO.UK/RENAULT

FREELANDER 2 • New exterior design features give a sportier and purposeful look • Range Rover Evoque equipment now available in Freelander 2 • Fresh interior equipment and colourways includes new centre console • New 7-inch colour touch-screen • 825W Meridian surround sound system with 17-speakers • Say What You See prompted voice commands • 7-Day Timed Climate system • Rear View Camera with ‘Hitch Assist’