Totally Stockport Magazine Issue 11

Issue 11 FREE

It’s all happening in Stockport New Openings

Stockport Shorts Stockport’s 2020 Amateur Short Film Competition

Only happy when it rains!

Check out the lastest fashion for the April showers

PLUS:

FREE FAMILY FUN day

SHOPPING

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DINING

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BUSINESS

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WHAT’S ON

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NEWS

Welcome H

ello and a big spring welcome from the team at Totally Stockport.

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It’s been a bit of a damp winter but no fear, spring is in the air and we aren’t going to let the rain drops dampen our spirits. In fact, you can look fabulous in the rain – check out the ‘wet look’ on pages 8&9.

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We’ve been busy planning some more great, Stockport town centre events for you for 2020.

Into films? Could you be the next Sam Mendes or Steven Spielberg? Enter the Totally Stockport Shorts competition. Or perhaps Super-heroes are your great love: Comic Con is coming to Stockport on May 23rd. A massive day out for the whole family – read more on page 17.

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As you browse through the pages of our latest magazine you will discover that Stockport has welcomed more new businesses who are choosing Stockport as their home and we’re not a bit surprised. With new restaurants and bars adding to the food & drink menu, a brandnew concept in pampering for mums at the Mama Sanctuary – see pages 10 & 11 and a new concept in Escape Rooms, Stockport has never had so much to offer.

The former M&S building on Princes Street & Merseyway has an exciting future thanks to a major investment from developers Glenbrook – take a look inside on page 5.

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Have a great 2020 everyone and don’t forget to check out the latest news on our Facebook page, tag us on Twitter and on our Instagram page.

Robbies to reopen the Bulls Head

Fashion Why does it always rain on me?

Mama Sanctuary Where mums get pampered

New Openings The Good Rebel and Trapp’d

Profolk A cool workspace in the Marketplace

Jaki Graham The soul star is heading to Stockport

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Forthcoming Events

A preview of Stockports main events

Christmas in Stockport

What we got up to in December

20-21 Freedmans Inside the town’s oldest retailer

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Beer & Cider Festival Three days of beery fun at Edgeley Park

24-25 Merseyway

What’s going on in the centre of Stockport

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There’s exciting news from Stockport’s family of brewers Robinsons too – The Bull’s Head is set to re-open in the Market Place – read all about their plans on page 4.

There’s loads more – put your feet up and enjoy some ‘me time’ as you plan your next trip into Stockport. And you can keep up to date with the latest news on our website – www. totallystockport.co.uk

News

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20-21

Levy Payer News News from our local businesses

BID Update Frog news and a security update

28-30 What’s On

A listing for the next three months

Get In Touch If you have a story, news or an event in Stockport Town Centre why not drop us a line? www.totallystockport.co.uk paul.taylor@totallystockport.co.uk Tel: 0161 537 9382

Helen and the Totally Stockport team @totallysk

Totally-Stockport

News

Stockport gets set to welcome Metrolink P

lans to bring Metrolink look set to be fast-tracked. The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has restated his and Stockport Council’s bold ambition to add Stockport to the city-region’s Metrolink tram network and called on the government to work with the town’s Mayoral Development Corporation to fast track its delivery so that work can start by 2025.

Cllr Elise Wilson, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “It has been a long-held ambition of the Council to bring the Metrolink network to Stockport bringing us a step closer to making Stockport one of the best connected towns in the North. I am delighted that we can now move forward with this. We’re keen to extend Metrolink from the existing East Didsbury line to the new Stockport Interchange as quickly as possible.”

During the recent general election campaign, the Transport Secretary committed to bringing Metrolink to Stockport.

Transport for Greater Manchester and Stockport Council will now progress with the Business Case needed to extend Metrolink from East Didsbury to Stockport town centre.

Robinsons to re-open the oldest pub in the Market Place

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obinsons Brewery has announced a £400k refurbishment project which will see the Bulls Head – the oldest pub in the Market Place, Stockport – re-open its doors for the first time in 8 years. The grade II listed pub, which dates back to 1731, has been closed since November 2011 following a tough trade period for the pub (and the town as a whole) but Robinsons are hoping to complete the refurbishment in time for the brewery’s 182nd birthday in September.

Formerly one of Stockport’s top music venues, the preserved Victorian frontage of the Bulls Head stands face-to-face with the renovated Market Hall building.

Existing as the ‘oldest fully licensed house in the Market Place’, the Bulls Head is a famous inn with strong political and historical associations. It was the centre of local unrest which led to the massacre of Peterloo and, prior to construction of the Market Hall, the balcony was famously used by orators to address the crowds and for the election of ‘hustings’. The Bulls Head is also the only pub to feature on Stockport’s Blue Plaque Trail.

The intensive £400k 3-month refurbishment scheme is planned to start in June.

The new look promises to be a celebration of all things Stockport; from the hat museum to the brewery – which can be seen from the external terrace of the pub – local heritage will be at the heart of this iconic pub.

The re-opening of the Bulls Head will create approximately 15-20 new jobs in the town. The pub can seat 84 covers inside and 36 covers outside and it is envisaged that food will play a big part in the new offer.

If you’re interested in running the Bulls Head, please call 0161 612 4112 or email recruitment@frederic-robinson. co.uk. Alternatively, visit www.myrobinsonspub.com to find out more about running a pub with Robinsons.

Pure delight at Windmill Coffee Shop

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Pure also run cafés in Stockport and Oldham, as well as their bakery on Chestergate, The Kitchen.

The coffee shop is open to the public and offers a selection of lunches, cakes, drinks and snacks as well as bread freshly made by the charity at The Kitchen on Chestergate.

The Windmill Coffee Shop takes its name from the windmill that was rediscovered when the Lamborghini showroom was demolished to build the Cornerstone building. The windmill, that previously occupied the site from 1784 to 1857, originally powered the Edward Street Mill, before the advent of steam.

ure Innovations, the Stockport charity supporting people with learning difficulties and autism, have taken over the running of the Windmill Coffee Shop, in Stockport Homes Cornerstone building.

News

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he future vision for Stockport’s former Marks & Spencer has been revealed by development and investment company Glenbrook with the release of new images for the scheme.

The building, which has been re-branded STOK, will provide up to 64,000 sq ft of modern office accommodation, with two large open floorplates of 16,000 sq ft each, in the heart of the town. The office space will front onto Prince’s Street with the potential for a number of retail units also onto Merseyway. AW Demolition commenced the comprehensive strip out and asbestos removal works to the property in December, this work is due to be completed by May. The project team is well underway developing the interior design of the building and it is anticipated that the full fit out works will start on site by July 2020.

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Glenbrook is working with architects, AEW and interior design agency, Incognito, to remodel the building which will include a central glazed atrium, the creation of two large open plan office floors in excess of 16,000 sq ft each, three 9-person lifts, cycle storage, drying facilities and a second floor outdoor terrace.

Glenbrook acquired the building from Marks & Spencer last year and have been working closely with the Council to ensure the scheme complements the ongoing plans for Stockport town centre.

Cllr David Meller, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “Following our interventionist approach by investing in Stockport Exchange, Redrock and Merseyway, it’s excellent to see private developers such as Glenbrook showing confidence in Stockport and investing in our town.

New Offices Revealed for Marks & Spencer Building Commenting on the plans for the building Chris Lloyd, Investment Director for Glenbrook said: “We believe STOK will be a real game-changer for Stockport. The town centre itself has hardly any new office space, yet it is in a perfect location for an office scheme, benefitting from fantastic public transport connections, being just minutes from the motorway junction and with plenty of parking and great shops, cafes and restaurants nearby.”

He continued: “Stockport is seeing unprecedented levels of investment and change and we have already received a significant amount of interest from companies looking for high quality workspace in the heart of the town. The final configuration of the space is flexible and will be led by the requirements of the occupiers but we envisage that it will be primarily office-led, with a smaller amount of retail and leisure space to complement the mix on Merseyway.”

“STOK will bring more footfall into our town centre, diversify its offer further and again showcase the massive potential our borough has and is now realising after so many years.

“The plans look fantastic and it’s testament to Glenbrook that they buy into the council’s bold vision to make our town centre fit the present and the immediate future as traditional retail becomes less of a presence - something obviously shown by them taking what was previously a well-loved Marks and Spencer and bringing a new vision for it.

“I can’t wait for STOK to open and contribute to what are exciting times for Stockport.”

CBRE and Edwards & Co are agents for any office scheme enquiries and Metis Real Estate are agents for any leisure or retail opportunities.

Chris Lloyd (left) and David Meller

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Stockport is seeing unprecedented levels of investment and change and we have already received a significant amount of interest from companies looking for high quality workspace in the heart of the town.

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News

New residential development unveiled at the Mailbox

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development of 117 apartments has been unveiled after a dramatic transformation of Stockport’s former Royal Mail Sorting Office on Wellington Road South in the town centre.

green, living wall is the largest of its kind by surface area in the North of England. Rents include free broadband and tenants can even keep pets, subject to interview.

The property has been developed by Rise Homes on a build-to-rent basis and is a sign of things to come in the redevelopment of Town Centre West that aims to build the UK’s newest, coolest and greenest urban village of 3,500 homes.

The commercial space spans two units at street level – a larger two-storey space and a self-contained unit with glass front onto the A6 suitable as a restaurant or retail space.

The Mailbox is the first major residential scheme to be completed within Stockport’s Mayoral Development Corporation at Town Centre West and features an impressive communal atrium and rooftop garden for residents. The 18-metre high

The residential scheme is being aimed at young professionals, offering more space and competitive rent compared with comparable developments in Manchester City Centre, but with the same connectivity: The Mailbox is just a 2 minute walk to both the train and bus stations.

Stockport celebrates VE Day Works begin on improvements to Underbanks

Between Friday 8th May and Sunday 10th May Stockport will be marking the 75th Anniversary of VE Day in important buildings that have a part to play in reflecting, commemorating and celebrating this milestone in our history.

FRIDAY MAY 8 Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery Open for people to visit the Hall of Memory for quiet reflection.

11am – 4pm

St. Mary’s in the Marketplace A service of commemoration will honour the sacrifices made at home and abroad with a programme of readings, hymns and choral music.

2.15pm -3pm

Stockport Air Raid Shelters Open for self-guided audio tours of the tunnels. Free entry to serving members of the armed forces and veterans.

11am - 4pm

SATURDAY MAY 9 Stockport Air Raid Shelters Open for self-guided audio tours of the tunnels. Free entry to serving members of the armed forces and veterans.

10am - 5pm

SUNDAY MAY 10 Stockport Air Raid Shelters Brief encounter with the 1940s This special VE Day event will offer guided tours of the extensive tunnels, but with a twist. Meet our ARP warden, WVS volunteer and nurse – all dressed in 1940s costume with music and singing from the period.

11am-4pm

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he first phase of a project of improvements to Underbanks, running through Stockport town centre, has begun. This will see the reconstruction of the failed road surface between the automatic bollards on Lower Hillgate, close to Robinsons Brewery and Royal Oak Yard. The existing cobbles will be stored and reused at a later date. Repairs to the footpath and redecoration of the street furniture along this section will also take place.

Works will then take place to reconstruct the remainder of Little Underbank with high quality, heritage-paving setts between Royal Oak Yard and the roundabout at the bottom of Little Underbank, opposite the White Lion.

At a later stage, the contractors will return to the section between the automatic bollards and Royal Oak Yard to replace the coloured surfacing with high-quality, heritage paving setts.

Up to date information on the resurfacing project in the Little Underbanks area, part of the Town Centre Access Plan programme, will be available at stockport.gov.uk

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Development plans unveiled for Merseyway Shopping Centre

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tockport is changing, large areas of the town are being transformed into dynamic and desirable places to live, work, play and shop. Plans are set to continue at Merseyway in 2020 when Stockport Council will be investing in creating a state-of-the-art facility, , more greenery, updated toilet facilities, and more events and activities.

Development at the former M&S store is currently underway having been purchased by Glenbrook (read more on page 5) and the former BHS store has also been sold for redevelopment.

Mersey Square, the gateway to Merseyway will soon be undergoing a makeover including the planting of 26 semi-mature trees enhancing the greenery, improving bio-diversity and creating a natural habitat for wildlife and an area for contemplation, relaxation, rest and shade.

style entrance to the centre, a new stair and lift core, baby and child amenity space and a quiet room. The re-fronting of existing retail to create a contemporary uniform appearance and public realm improvements will improve the centre’s links to the historic core of Stockport and to the new transport interchange being constructed with TfGM (due for completion in 2022).

High streets need to adapt to changing shopping habits; Merseyway are taking an innovative approach and are coming up with ways to re-purpose former shop units to creating centres of entertainment for visitors including

Commencing later in 2020, new landscaping to the main Merseyway mall will feature places to sit, places for live entertainment and the latest technology that will build on a programme of events for the whole family.

Investing £3.5m in 2020, Stockport Council plans to create a new entrance into Merseyway via Adlington Walk.

Plans include for a new ‘hotel lobby’

go-karting, games and virtual reality experiences. Found out more at: www. stockport.gov.uk (Images used are for illustration purposes only)

BASF to move UK Headquarters to Stockport Exchange

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lobal chemical company, BASF, is set to move its UK headquarters to 2 Stockport Exchange in Stockport town centre - the second office building at the town’s most exciting and accessible business hub.

Richard Carter, managing director of BASF in the UK and Ireland, said: “We are looking forward to moving our UK headquarters from Cheadle to this exciting new ‘connected’ location later this year. Our new office space in Stockport Exchange will feature open and collaborative workspace to enable new and more agile ways of working.

The move is part of an ongoing Future of Work project which will deliver a

better workplace experience through improved digitalisation, increased flexibility and empowered leadership.”

The wider £145m Stockport Exchange transformation, delivered in partnership by Stockport Council and national urban regeneration specialist, Muse Developments, sits centrally to the council’s ambitious £1bn regeneration programme. This includes a new transport interchange, which will build on Stockport’s first-class connectivity; the Mayoral Development Corporation – the first of its kind nationally – will create a new urban village with 3,500 homes and up to 1 million sq ft of commercial space.

Only Happy When it R It’s a fact of British life. You sit through endless storms during the Winter so you can finally look forward to... more rain.

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Mama Sanctuary - When You

New Openings

u Need A Bit of Pampering I

f anyone could be forgiven for wanting a brief respite from the trials of motherhood it is Rachel Kirkwood. With a new-born baby, three two year-olds, an eight year-old and a 10 yearold stepson she longed for some sort of haven in which she could indulge herself and relax, even if just for an hour or so. Well, no such thing existed so she went and created it herself.

Rachel is extremely passionate about her latest baby - Mama Sanctuary - so here we let her talk about it with the minimum of interruption...

When I had my first son, eight years ago, I lived in Leeds and I didn’t really have any friends there, just my ex’s parents. I realised then that it could be quite lonely as a new mum. Then I came back to Manchester, met my current husband and had three children within nine months. So I was panicking about how I was going to get out of the house to do anything - and I had the oldest to take to school as well and I was really depressed at the time because I was struggling to cope.

My intention had always been to go back to work at some point but I thought ‘I need to open this place’ because I can’t do anything for myself and there must be loads of other mums in my situation. Even if you’ve got one baby it’s hard. If you’re a new mum and your husband is at work all week you still can’t go and get your hair done so I thought I need to do it.

Although my husband and I both grew up in Altrincham, we moved to Stockport after we married. We have since moved out to Stalybridge. But Stockport’s where I wanted this place to be. It’s going through a regeneration and it’s accessible.

The first building we found was up in the market but we realised that, because it was over three floors, there were access problems with prams and wheelchairs. And then we found this place, with a much bigger ground floor and a small first floor.

It used to be a bed shop but it had been empty for a couple of years. We got the keys in October, started work at the beginning of November and we were open in less than four weeks. It was like Challenge Anneka, all the staff had paint brushes and my husband and father-inlaw were amazing. In fact my father-in-law is upstairs right now, putting a new kitchen into the event space.

So it’s been hard work setting everything up but it’s been a very positive start. We met the Business Growth Hub last week and they said that they would have to pass us on to a High Growth Team because we weren’t classified as a small business as our turnover was too high.

And although January is traditionally dead in the beauty industry we did more in January than in December!

We’ve already had people speaking to us about franchises so we’ve spoken to the Business Growth Hub about that and they are going to help us with it. But we want to open some more of our own as well. I was thinking perhaps Liverpool and Leeds. I’ve already been looking at properties in other places, just to get an idea of the prices really because we need a lot of space.

The ground floor of Mama Sanctuary offers a beauty treatment area, a hairdressing salon, three private treatment rooms offering pregnancy massage and facials and a shop offering baby clothes and accessories made by small, independent businesses from around Manchester. Upstairs is a multi-purpose function room and a crèche A lot of mums come in with babies that they haven’t left anywhere before but it’s not like leaving your baby with a baby sitter or a friend, you know that they’re still in the same building. Although the mum doesn’t have to leave it in the crèche, we have baby chairs and baby bouncers that she can use and put next to her chair if she wants to. Most salons won’t allow that because they use toxic products. Usually, if you go into a nail salon it stinks of fumes but it doesn’t here. And all our hair dyes are ammonia free too.

The crèche is set up for the baby to toddler age group - and it’s free for the first child and just £4 for a second - but we wouldn’t turn older children away if a mum wanted to bring them in after school, we have crafts and we have a TV and iPads to keep them occupied. Next half-term we’re going to put on a craft class or something that the kids can do upstairs because in half-term a lot of mums have a few children to deal with.

The other room upstairs we let out for events and we also we have our own groups that we organise, like mums meet-ups where we might have midwives come in and they can weigh babies or we might have a baby sleep coach come in to talk.

We also organise general meet-ups like a twins meet-up, a new mums meet-up or a pregnant ladies meet-up. We’ve had two events here this week and they both sold out within half a day.

Most of these are held upstairs but we had one in the salon last week. We had about 25 ladies here and there was a panel of ladies at the front talking about mental health, IVF, domestic abuse. I had to cap the numbers at 25 because I knew a lot of people also had babies with them.

There isn’t much support for new mums and I think people feel more comfortable talking about things here. Listening to other people who have been through a similar situation, rather than going to the doctors and saying “I

think I’m depressed” especially when the doctor probably hasn’t been through it.

And of course it’s not just for mums, there are a lot of ladies having IVF. And we’re trying to get an ultrasound in so we can do scans here hopefully if people find out whether it’s a boy or a girl, they’ll go to the shop and buy clothes for it! And they might want a pregnancy massage too. And of course, if anyone is walking past and they want their nails done, pop in!

Most of these events are during the day. That one was in the morning and we held it downstairs so we just put on a bit of breakfast and closed the salon for a couple of hours. It’s difficult because there’s obviously a need for it but if we’re shutting the salon for that time, we’re losing money. We charged people £5 but we put on breakfast and gave people a goody bag, so we didn’t make any money on it.

A lady from Coronation Street had asked on social media if there was anywhere she could go for a massage and take her baby with her and people had told her to come here. So she messaged me and said that a few of the Coronation Street ladies had had babies recently and she was going to get them all to come in! I told her that we’d recently had a mental health morning and she said that she’d not had a great time herself and that she’d come and do a talk at our next one, which would be great.

Despite a background in highway design - you read that right - Rachel took on the interior design of this place and has made quite a splash with its vibrant colour and open-plan look. In fact, the pink, diner-style seating by the window is attracting the attention of the odd passer-by...

A 90 year-old lady came in here last week because she thought it was a posh restaurant - and she stayed for an hour! But the tables are useful because we do baby showers as well, so while three of the guests are having some treatment, the others will be sat here having cake and stuff. If they don’t want treatment they can rent out the room upstairs for their shower instead. Also people will just sit here after their treatment with a cup of tea.

A lady called Ashley Openshaw runs the place for me because my experience is not in beauty so she runs the day to day stuff and all the staff. I didn’t want to work all day - I wanted to make this place as much for me as for my other customers - although I’ve not even managed to have a massage yet! I was going to have my hair done this morning but the hairdressers were all booked up!

1 Prince’s St, Stockport SK1 1SL 0161 300 6835 @mamasanctuary www.mumtobe.com

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New Openings

Trapp’d A

bout 20 yards across the road from Mama Sanctuary, featured on the previous page, is Trapp’d. We mention this because it is easy to miss, with the entrance just being a single door at the side of ShoeMarket. The door takes you downstairs where you book into one of three rooms; two of which you have to try and escape from, the other... well we’ll get to that...

Stockport is the seventh Trapp’d to open in the UK and features two of the company’s most popular rooms: Motel and Dead Man’s Cove. The latter is a family-friendly pirate adventure in which you start off locked in two cells and have to work with your teammate(s) to solve the puzzles that will get you out of the cells and ultimately, the ‘ship’.

At Motel you find that you have checked into a place where most guests never check out. Sensibly, this experience is

for ages 16+. The rooms drip with atmosphere and if the decor wasn’t chilling enough, there may be a couple of extra surprises along the way...

The third room, Destroy’d is less about puzzle-solving and lateral thinking and more smashing things up. A maximum of two people will put on protective gear, pick up a baseball bat and start taking out the day’s frustrations on an assortment of TV screens, computers, printers and so on... like you always wanted to.

The Trapp’d staff can monitor your progress through video screens in the central control room and will be ready to come and get you if you fail to escape within the one hour time limit. Prices vary according to how many players are taking part 12-16 Princes Street, Stockport SK1 1SE (from a minimum of two to a maximum of six) and whether 0161 509 4913 stockport@trappd.com the time slot is peak or off-peak, Destroy’d costs a flat £45.

The Good Rebel

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tockport’s latest bar, The Good Rebel sits on Mealhouse Brow, connecting Hillgate to the Market Place. It has been opened by Martin Healy, a man with years of experience in the industry, his most recent position being General manager of the massive Turtle Bay in Manchester. Having decided to go it alone, the Burnage-based entrepreneur soon settled on Stockport, “I used to be quite envious of the people who were the first to open in places like The Northern Quarter and Chorlton and I liked the idea of getting in somewhere early, being one of the originals. And the more I walked around Stockport I could see it definitely happening. And because everywhere is relatively cheap it was a good starting point for my first business, to build my cash reserves because I’m not going to be happy with just one site, I want to expand and make a proper go of it.”

Having started his search for a venue over two years ago, Martin had looked at six other places before landing here, including the space above Fish Direct and the chip shop opposite Vinebod.

On the occasions that Martin had walked past this unit, a glance through the window suggested the building was too small to be viable until, on a whim, he arranged to have a look inside. Not only did the space stretch further back than it appeared, it also dog-legs to the left, behind the neighbouring Plantshop. The site for The Good

Rebel had been found. “The name comes from a Noel Gallagher b-side. It struck me as a great name immediately and the moment I’d decided on that as the name, the momentum pushed me through to getting it open.”

Martin has forgone any food offer and is concentrating on the drinks. “We’re not a cocktail bar, we’re a bar that does cocktails.” He explains, “from my point of view our cocktails differentiate us. Our cocktails are proper... I get my fruit every day from the market, strawberries, mint, limes and so on.” So of courser, the house spirits are all premium labels. If you want a mojito the rum in it is Plantation.

The venue is already proving so popular that Martin is redesigning the back bar area to install an extra ice well, “I never thought it would be as busy as it is. The first Saturday we opened the queue at the bar went all the way to the door but we’re getting drinks out faster. We’ve got a nicer system and a good team. I thought I only needed one team member but I’ve got three now.”

The bar currently opens at 4pm during the week but is about to start opening midday on Friday and when the weather gets better, “we’ll play it by ear.”

6 Mealhouse Brow, Stockport SK1 1JP 0161 429 0420 @thegoodrebelstockport

New Openings

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Profolk

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roFolk, the first creative co-working workspace in Stockport, has opened its doors in the previously empty, iconic former Bank Chambers building in the Market Place, best known to a generation of locals as the site of Yates’ Wine Lodge.

After significant investment by South Manchester based Hall & Co Property, ProFolk’s light and airy interior has been sympathetically renovated, a blend of traditional and contemporary, restoring the classic features of an elegant banking hall while creating an inspirational working environment.

Already attracting tech teams, designers, digital entrepreneurs and biotech specialists, ProFolk’s vision has come to life creating light, airy, open plan work stations; glass walled offices, private meeting rooms, quirky presentation areas and the most secure toilets in Stockport – they are in the vaults – add to the attraction.

Leon Berry of ProFolk said: “It’s great to see technology led businesses choosing Stockport and ProFolk. Both have settled in brilliantly and we look forward to seeing them grow alongside us!”

Andy Thornton from MBRE added: “The ProFolk team have created an exceptional product unique to the Stockport Office Market. Historically the creative/tech sector has been drawn to Manchester but we are now seeing a reversal to this trend owing to the competitive rents and borough wide investment that are providing a platform for the likes of ProFolk to exist and be a success in Stockport Town Centre.”

Designed by award-winning architecture practice, Ollier Smurthwaite, the painstaking transformation of Bank Chambers took nine months to complete. In that time, it saw the restoration of numerous original features, including stained glass windows, marble columns, ceiling rose, bank vaults and fireplaces, whilst adding air conditioning, mood lighting, a passenger lift, flat-screen TVs and a speaker system.

Bank Chambers, Stockport SK1 1AR 0161 989 7000 www. profolk.space

With six UK Top 20 hits, a raft of awards and an honorary degree from the University of Wolverhampton Jaki Graham is a bona fide star. But she keeps on working and right now, her work is bringing her to Stockport again.

Strawberry Radio find out more...

Interview

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Jaki Graham

ou’ve been to Stockport quite a few times for shows at The Plaza and you’re back again later this year with Alexander O’Neal and for the Festival, so we could almost call you local now?

I’m a midlander so it’s not that far. It’s just the road works that slow me down!

So to begin at the beginning, how did it all start for you?

When I was at school I used to do little concerts and things and even then I was dating my hubby, Tony. Anyway, after I had left school there was an ad in the local Birmingham paper looking for a soul singer for a band that was starting up. And Tony was coming to my house one night and he was late but when he did turn up he said “I’ve got you an audition to join a band”. And I got that job! It’s funny because when I came on the scene in the 80s everyone thought I was an overnight success but I’d been gigging for a good 10 or 12 years before that!

So how did you break into the big time?

I got a recording contract after I did a vocal session for an instrumental jazz funk band.

They ended up taking their stuff to London where they did some showcase gigs and this management company told them, “we really love the band but we’d like to see you with a front person, singing.” So I ended up doing some of the showcase gigs with them and they liked me and eventually I got plucked from the band and joined the management company. David Grant was already there, so that’s how that connection came about.

What were your influences growing up?

I grew up with my grandmother who was into reggae and ska and there were two uncles who were quite close to us: the older one was very much into jazz and stuff like that and the younger one was into soul and because he was around a bit more I was drawn to the soul side.

You have a bit of Motown in your set, so who is your favourite Motown artist?

Oh... well she wasn’t on Motown for long but I love Gladys Knight. And I’ve met Stevie Wonder and I’ve met Lamont Dozier who wrote so many Motown songs, The Four Tops... I saw Diana Ross live in the 80s when I was growing up.

Diana Ross would only play London and Birmingham when she came to the UK...

And she called me on stage at one of the gigs! I never sang with her though, I just had a little dance on stage. The first band I ever saw was when my grandmother took me and my kid brother to see the Jackson 5 at the Birmingham Odeon and that was awesome!

So your big break was the duet with David Grant in 1985, how did the duet come about?

We had the same management company.

David saw me when I was playing with the jazz funk band.

So the duet with David - Could It Be I’m Falling in Love - was the springboard for your career with hits like Set Me Free, Breaking Away, Step Right Up and Mated... It must have been an amazing time.

It was a whirlwind. I came on the scene thinking that I was probably going to be here for five minutes and so I was determined to embrace it. I had Natalie my daughter at the time but she was only little and I wanted her to be around it all; to see, to learn, to grow from it. And she remembers more than I do now! She says “Mum do you remember when you did this?” - and my son Ryan is the same - and I’m going “no I never” and they’re saying “yes you did”. And Tony was always around taking photographs so it’s all documented.

But the time went like *that* you know? I was being pulled here there and everywhere, it was just outrageous. And the people I was rubbing shoulders with - the good, the bad and the indifferent! And it’s great that some of us are still around now, doing the retro things and so on and when we catch up we just talk about the good old days. I’m so pleased and proud that I was part of the eighties and that I’m part of people’s musical history.

Actually, I’m supposed to be writing an autobiography at the moment so what I’ve forgotten, Tony’s got down in pictures and then there’s Natalie and Ryan, so between us all we should get everything in there.

You really made it globally didn’t you? You made it big in America thanks to Michael McDonald and you’ve been working with him again recently Oh, that’s a whole other story... Whenever he’s about and I’m not working we get to hang out. He co-wrote some songs for my

albums and he’s been looking after us for years. To my kids it’s Uncle Mike and Auntie Amy. Also, I ended up going to Japan in the 90s and I looked at it as a new project. “Hi, I’m a new girl in town and I hope you like my stuff” but they were saying to me, why have you never been her before and they were quoting lyrics from my previous album. It was amazing!

You’re out on tour again this year and there’s a lot of variety in it and some of it’s acoustic, how does that work, given that your shows are usually very energetic and full-on?

I’ve got this wonderful Musical Director called Adrian Douthwaite who I’ve been working with for 20 years and he’s really stripped the songs back, so at these intimate shows that we do there’s just me and him on piano.

I talk a bit about the history of some of the songs and I talk about people that I’ve met.

The other, bigger shows are with my gang, I’ve got all that backing and help on vocals.

And you’re in Stockport on 6th November at the Plaza and 18th July for Hits On The Pitch at Stockport Rugby Club with Limahl, Sonia, Martin Kemp and S Club...

It’s going to be great. People often ask if I’m tired of singing my hits but to be able to light up somebody’s life and take them back to the good old days is fun. Everyone’s given me so much love, I’m just trying to give some back.

What would the 18 year old Jaki make of you now?

I don’t know. I’m still learning stuff, I’m still growing... I’d like to think what we did was what we did and I don’t regret anything. I think the paths we’ve taken and having the family with me that’s kept me sane and comfortable. I’ve had a great time but now I’m beginning to absorb it more. Back then you didn’t have time to blink between the shows and then there was looking after the kids and making sure that they are taken care of, it was hectic. And now I’m no use to man nor beast when I’ve finished a show!

Jaki Graham is at Stockport Rugby Club, Bramhall on 18th July for The Strawberry Festival - Hits On The Pitch and at Stockport Plaza on Friday 6th November supporting Alexander O’Neal Tickets www.alexanderoneal.live and www.smashhits.live tickets: www.smashhits.live

15

Town Centre Events

Events

17

Dates for your diary The Totally Stockport team, along with our partners at Merseyway, Market Place and at Stockport Council are planning some great events for 2020.

Totally Stockport Comic Con

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n 23rd May, Stockport town centre will be invaded by an army of Comic Con characters – a fun day out for fans of all ages! We are already planning a packed agenda including:

• Screenings at the Light Cinema - along with some surprise acts!

• Star Wars characters and an installation of the Star Wars X Wing at Redrock and Suffragette Square

• The amazing Batmobile and Batman at the Peel Centre

• Ghostbusters with Inflatable Marshmallow man and Ghostbusters van in the Market Place

• Dr Who’s Tardis and Dalek on Underbanks

• Various characters and activities including a Light Sabre school plus Transformers in

Merseyway and Mersey Square

• The Simpson’s Bus outside The Works We are still working on the finer details, but we can promise that this will be an event not to be missed!

Dress up as your favourite character, meet your favourite characters, pick up a copy of the totally unique Totally Stockport Comic Book – collect stickers of all the main characters as you wander around the town!

Spin the wheel in Merseyway, which Superhero are you and pick up a FREE cape / mask!

With Transformers, Turbo, Fantastic Beasts, Kitt and Dukes of Hazzard cars and Ironman, we can promise a full day of entertainment.

Stockport S Shorts

tockport has an abundance of beautiful, historical buildings, great feats of architecture and a maze of stairways and alleys that hold the key to a fascinating and somewhat racy past. A place where imaginations can run wild which is why Stockport is such a popular location for many film makers covering many genres. As well as attracting the cast of Peaky Blinders and playing home to ITV series Scarborough, areas around the Market Place and at the railway station have recently featured in the popular Netflix series The Stranger.

At Totally Stockport we believe everyone has a film inside them and have launched Stockport Shorts, a short film competition.

Shortlisted films will be screened at a special event on 20th May 2020 at The Light Cinema in Stockport.

Winners will be announced on the night.

You don’t need any fancy kit – just a camera and a phone will do but if you do know Stephen Spielberg then that’s cool too.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

Can you create a short film that lasts just 5 minutes?

Find out more at: www.shorts.totallystockport.co.uk

BUT LET’S NOT JUST LEAVE STOCKPORT TO THE BIG MOVIE MAKERS!

Stockport’s Food & Drink Festival 2020

It can be a comedy, animation, documentary – the choice is yours – but it must feature Stockport or contain a visible icon of Stockport in some of the scenes.

The competition is open to Under 16 and Over 16’s and submission deadline is 30th April 2020.

STAR AT YOUR OWN PREMIERE!

L

ast year’s three-day Stockport Food & Drink Festival was a huge hit and this year we are going to make it even bigger and better!

Save the dates: Friday 4th to Sunday 6th September

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Christmas

Stockport’s Icy White Magical Christmas E

xciting events entertained families of all ages in the run-up to Christmas as Stockport presented an Icy White Magical Christmas.

Christmas began with a spectacular performance in Merseyway to celebrate the Christmas Light Switch and then on across Stockport with Switch

Ons in Market Place and Underbank. The whole town then hosted the return of the popular Ice Sculpture Trail. Christmas markets, Father Christmas and lots of free entertainment in Merseyway delighted excited children as they joined in the fun before seeking out the Ice Sculptures and riding on the Polar Express land train.

Christmas

19

Winners of the Ice Sculpture Trail L

ucky winners of the Ice Trail on the first weekend were brother and sister, Martha and Bill, who shared a prize of ÂŁ100. Martha used her voucher to buy a pair of roller skates and her brother Bill bought a game of online Monopoly.

The winner on the second weekend was Gracie who spent her prize money at The Entertainer.

David Freedman

Freedmans: Stockport’s H T

here is a good chance that, at some point in their lives, most local men will cross the threshold into Freedmans. Whether to be fitted out as groom, best man, usher or other formally-dressed male addition to a wedding, Freedmans has been a popular destination for well over a century.

The shop has moved around over the years but most people will only know it in its current position on Little Underbank.

The company still trades under the name S Freedman and Sons (Stockport) Ltd although Simon Freedman is a distant memory these days. When Totally Stockport popped in to the shop we were greeted by David and Andrew Freedman. David is Simon’s grandson and Andrew his great-grandson.

“My grandfather started the business in 1893 on Church Road, just off the A6 which was then the main street in Stockport. That was where they lived and where all the businesses were. Later he moved down to Princes Street, although it wasn’t called that then [it was Heaton Lane]. He was worried that he might lose some business moving there but soon Princes Street was the busiest street outside Manchester.

When I was a lad, that was the place to be.”

When Marks & Spencer came to town they purchased a large swath of shops on Princes Street in order to have a presence on Merseyway. Freedmans was one of those shops and although they initially took a unit in the precinct, they soon to moved Great Underbank.

If you’ve ever wondered why there have historically been so many banks and building societies around Great Underbank, it is because they were not allowed to open in the precinct - that space was ‘retail only’ -

and this was as close as they could get. So it was that 35 years ago David Freedman rented his shop to the Alliance & Leicester and moved around the corner to where they are now.

At 127 years old, there seem little doubt that Freedmans is the longest serving retail business in town, although they only took on that title recently, “Tittertons the butchers were about a year older than us” explains David, “but they closed their shop a couple of years ago.”

To David, the demise of Tittertons highlights the advantages that his business enjoys: ”People can get meat cheaper at the supermarkets than on the high street and that’s where we’re lucky, the big multiples either don’t want to do what we do, or they can’t do it.”

“It’s too labour intensive for them” explains Andrew, “people can be in here for an hour and a half. When people are hiring wedding outfits, they like traditional service. And we can wheel my dad out from the back and people find it reassuring” he adds, laughing.

David: “People are often surprised when we start talking to them - just chatting - because they don’t experience that elsewhere. They’re used to just paying for their things and that’s it.”

You can walk into Freedmans and get a regular suit made to measure “but it’s usually people who can’t get them off the peg for one reason or another.” says David.

There is one area of specialisation however in which people are prepared to invest some money and might think about buying rather than hiring and that is with

Freedman’s range of Highland wear. This range is a source of great pride for the family and if they have a specific unique selling point, this is probably it.

“We are the biggest in the North West of England on Highland wear.” says David, “If you’ve got an hour or so I could tell you all about Scottish tartan... I’ve got, for made-to-measure, about 3000 different tartans.

There’s an amazing amount.”

The majority of people still hire their highland outfits but there are some keen to have their own and the price to do so is around the £1,000 mark but if someone is going to those lengths, David will help keep the cost down as much as possible, “If someone is having their outfit made because they want to get married in their family tartan we will lend them the accessories for free and people can build their collection up in the future, if they want to.”

Such accessories include the brooches that go into the kilt pin, the belts and buckles, the sporran and the sgian-dubh - the knives that are carried in the sock. ”We sell the real ones but we only hire out plastic ones,” Andrew points out. David continues, “Highland is so much more difficult than the normal hiring of a suit. There are so many more bits to it that you’ve really got to know what you’re doing. So a lot of other shops are frightened of doing it. We have stocks here so you’ll definitely find a pair of ghillie shoes that fit you.”

Andrew adds, “I’d say we’ve been doing it properly for about 20 years. We’re the only ones who really know what they’re talking about. We have the biggest range of highland wear and we have the biggest range of suits too.”

Menswear

Hire Authority On the suit side, the shop carry a huge range of both their own unique stock and outfits supplied by a wholesaler, to ensure all shapes and sizes can be accommodated although not everyone arrived knowing what they want, ”Some do” says Andrew, “it depends. The lads from around Stockport maybe not so much but if they’re coming in from Bramhall or somewhere like that, then yes. A lot of people come in with a picture on their phones and say ‘can you do something like that?’ We had a group in recently and the groom said ‘I think I’ll have the trousers showing a bit of ankle’ at which point I came out and said ‘look.. you’re going to a wedding...’ and he said ‘yes, I suppose you’re right.’”

Often the groom can be kept in check by the bride, because if you hadn’t noticed, half the shop frontage announces the presence of ‘Dress The Bride’ which is situated upstairs. This operation is a separate business to Freedmans but obviously the two work very well together - for one thing the Freedmans get their windows properly dressed for free.

David and Andrew are both inseparable from the business, spending more hours there than they really need to. David sees it as a way of keeping active and Andrew says “I don’t take my day off. I’d rather be down here than not.”

As things stand, there might not be a fifth generation of Freedman to carry on the shop which will be a shame but let’s hope that the shop has a long future regardless. As they point out, they offer a very specific service and it is one that not many other people seem keen on providing to the standard necessary. @freedmansmenswear

The shop on Princes Street

21

Y VED B APPRO KPORT C STO GS FRO

TRADE STALLS . TV & FILM DISPLAYS . MEET & GREETS

ACROSS STOCKPORT TOWN CENTRE SATURDAY 23RD MAY | 9AM-5PM

2 3 0 5 2 0 2 0 9 2 5

FREE FAMILY FUN

www.totallystockport.co.uk

Stockport T

Events

Beer & Cider Festival

he Stockport Beer and Cider Festival 2020 will take place between 7th and 9th May at Edgeley Park, the home of Stockport County FC and tickets are on sale now.

The Festival has a highly deserving festival charity, Supportability (ex-Stockport Cerebral Palsy), which provides a wide range of activities and support for local adults with physical and/or learning disabilities and autistic spectrum conditions.

Thursday 7th May 3.30pm - 5.30pm Trade Session (invite only): 5.30pm - 11.00pm Admission: £3 Free entry for CAMRA members all day

BEERS AND CIDERS At the time of writing the beer and ciders are still being ordered but as usual a wide range of interesting and exotic drinking is promised.

Friday 8th May Noon - 5.00pm Admission: £3 Free entry for CAMRA members until 5pm.

Beers from as near as Stockport town centre, Heaton Norris and Bredbury, from both sides of the Pennines in Lancashire and Yorkshire and as far as Wiltshire, the North East and London as well as further afield will be in the offering along with bottled beers from across Europe and the Americas.

5.00pm - 11.00pm Admission: £5 CAMRA Members (after 5pm): £3

The organisers are encouraging local home brewers through a competition, with the prize of brewing their beer in collaboration with a local commercial brewer.

Along with other new beers you can try the winning brews on the Festival’s innovative Bar Nouveau.

The event is rightly proud of having one of the widest ranges of exciting ciders and perries, with ciders from as close as Dunham Massey all the way to the West Country and Wales.

ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD AND GAMES At every session there will be great live entertainment whether it be a comedy band on the Thursday, a fine array of local bands and talent on the Friday, a ukulele band on Saturday afternoon or a big-name band on Saturday evening. There really is something for everybody! If you are concerned that you will miss the Champion’s League Final on the Saturday don’t worry, we have that covered as well.

There will be a full range of hot and cold food at all sessions either from the in-house caterers at Edgeley Park or from our Street Food stalls. There will also be artisan cheese and chocolatier stalls to tempt your taste buds.

If all this wasn’t enough, there is a games area, souvenir glasses and T-shirts, a bookshop, special Festival Ales and an all-round marvellous atmosphere!

ADVANCE TICKET SALES You can pay cash on the door for entry to all public sessions during the festival, but if you’d like to beat the queues and get priority entrance, every ticket purchased in advance will attract a £1 discount, so buy your ticket today!

For more information visit: www.stockportfestival.org.uk For advance tickets visit: www.stockportfestival.org.uk/tickets

Saturday 9th May Noon - 11.00pm Admission: £3 CAMRA Members: £1

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Merseyway

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Merseyway raise over £1,600 for its Charity of the Year

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erseyway has successfully raised over £1,600 for local charity, Independent Options Children & Family Centre in Hazel Grove, after hosting a variety of fun, fundraising events for families during the festive season.

The funds were donated by generous shoppers who attended a programme of Christmas activities, including the popular Visits to Santa, which took place in the centre every weekend during December last year.

The charity, which offers personalised support services and inclusive play opportunities for children with learning disabilities and additional needs, has also received funds from other fundraiser activities throughout the year, including One Great Day, a Princess Party and toy sales.

Victoria Nichol, Centre Manager at Merseyway said “Merseyway’s Visits to Santa was a fantastic event that allowed children to get excited for Christmas Day whilst helping children and families that really need support. We’re proud to have raised so much money for the charity which will help to support all the wonderful work that Julia and the team do for local families in need.”

Julia Maunder, Centre Manager at Independent Options said “The money raised will make such a difference and help us to continue running the play sessions for the children and families who access our service. As a charity, we rely heavily on donations and we’d like to thank Merseyway for all their support.”

Merseyway blossoms with new flower installation

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Little Barn Mobile Farm comes to Merseyway

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erseyway Shopping Centre will be celebrating the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a beautiful blossom installation set to launch later this month.

Featuring giant blossom trees and flower garlands in the undercover mall, the installation will launch at the end of March and will be celebrated with an exclusive, blossom inspired craft workshop for children early April.

For more information, visit www.merseyway.com.

n Saturday 18th April, Merseyway will be visited by Little Barn Mobile Farm!

Families will be able to meet a variety of animals including goats, rabbits and Guinea pigs and children will be given the chance to feed lambs and calves.

The event will take place outside Primark from 10am – 4pm- make sure you don’t miss it!

Merseyway

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Merseyway sees in the New Year with Wishing Wand Craft Workshop

M

erseyway celebrated the start of the New Year with an exclusive Wishing Wand Craft Workshop where families could make their very own wishing wands.

Children of all ages took part in the workshop and used a variety of decorations including glitter, ribbon and sequins to make their wishing wands extra special.

Each child was also encouraged to make a New Year’s Resolution and with a flick of their wands, they would hopefully come true.

Enjoy an eggcellent Easter at Merseyway!

F

amilies are guaranteed a day of eggciting events as Milly the Rabbit visits Merseyway for Easter!

Milly will be helping children transform paper plates, pom poms and tissue paper into beautiful bunny baskets which they can take on an Easter trail around the centre to win rabbit ears and chocolate treats.

The event is free to attend and will be open from 11am – 3pm.

Mums guaranteed a blooming wonderful Mother’s Day as Merseyway hosts an exclusive Flower Craft Workshop M

ums can expect a blooming wonderful Mother’s Day this March as Merseyway hosts an exclusive Paper Flower Craft Workshop.

Open Saturday 21st March, children of all ages can make a beautiful large flower ready for their Mum on Mothering Sunday.

The workshop is free to attend and will open 11am – 3pm.

Don’t forget to pick up your event calendars from Merseyway, next time you’re here!

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Levy Payers’ News

Remedy Bar & Brewhouse

I

f you love great ales, vinyl and live music, the Remedy Bar and Brewhouse is a must! See their own microbrewery in action and with their ongoing policy of supporting small local brewers, new brews are on tap every week. With a fantastic array of live music, this is one venue that will keep you going back for more.

Set in the historic Market Place, the Remedy Bar & Brewhouse’s monthly toe-tapping Saturday Sound & Vision grown up disco is an amazing vinyl music night brought to you by Remedy’s resident monthly DJ, ‘The Vinyl Frontier’ spinning classic tracks from past decades. Dress to impress in your best glam togs for an amazing night of music showcasing some great tunes. Dig out that silver jumpsuit and let your hair down to a bit of Bowie, Roxy and T Rex. And for musicians and singers, join in open mic night, every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.

Visit their Facebook page for news of the latest events and brews - https://www.facebook.com/ remedybarUK and find out for yourself why this amazing venue is rated 4.9 / 5 by their followers: “Great bar serving lovely beers and ales on tap and cask. Just what Stockport needed to put them on the modern ale lovers map!”

“Superb atmosphere and 5-star lager. Place to chill and had a good night out.”

Aarons and Lyne wins Gorvins partner with Family Business Network Pride in Practice award G

orvins Solicitors, have further developed their association with North West family businesses through the announcement of a partnership with The Family Business Network.

Gorvins delivers a range of legal services for both individuals and businesses and are on hand to help with any form of personal and business legal advice including family business matters.

Dave Clarkson, Director of The Family Business Network said, “We’re delighted that Gorvins have become a partner of the Network. It seemed like a natural progression following their many years of support for family businesses in the region.

“We initially developed a relationship with Gorvins through one of their partners, Christian Mancier, who has been an active champion of family businesses for some time. Through the work that Christian has done within the family business community, Gorvins is able to offer their family business clients a legal service with a depth of understanding that is quite unique.”

Christian Mancier, Partner at Gorvins commented, “I’ve known the team at The Family Business Network for several years, having attended some amazing family business events of theirs. Gorvins are pleased to be joining forces with the Network in 2020 to support and celebrate the fantastic variety of exceptional family businesses across the North of England.”

S

tockport’s Aarons and Lyne Opticians has won an award for the beautiful presentation of its practice.

The opticians, in Great Underbank, is part of the Valli Group of Opticians and was recognised at the company’s annual awards evening.

Moin Valli, Managing Director of Valli Opticians, said: “We chose Aarons and Lyne as this year’s winners because the team there have really put their hearts into making the branch look beautiful. They have achieved a homely and boutique feel which provides a very welcoming atmosphere for patients.”

Practice Manager Jennifer Carrington-Quinlan said: “We were absolutely delighted to win this award, especially as we were up against some really worthy competition. Creating a welcoming and relaxing feel to our practice is really important to us, so it’s great to be recognised for this by our wider company.”

Valli Opticians was founded in 2005 by husband and wife Moin & Rachel Valli, with three practices in Huddersfield.

The business has grown significantly since and now has a total of 14 practices across the North of England, employing over 80 staff.

For further information and the optical services offered at Aarons and Lyne pop into the branch at 15 Great Underbank or call the team on 0161 474 0974.

BID

Stockport’s Giant Leap Frog Art Trail

T

he main project in 2019 was Stockport’s Giant Leap Frog Art Trail – the biggest family fun event Stockport has ever seen and driving unprecedented footfall across the town centre with huge numbers visiting throughout the summer months.

A fantastic, engaging, interactive event involving local businesses, residents, employees, visitors and community groups – absolutely anyone and everyone – with immense social and economic impact while showing off all the great changes that are taking place in Stockport.

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27

Town Centre Security

own centre security remains an important item on Totally Stockport’s 2020 agenda.

The Storenet / Nightnet radio system is 50% part-funded by Totally Stockport to ensure that reports of incidents are instantly relayed between the businesses and any perpetrators dealt with swiftly.

The Business Watch monthly meetings have proved popular among BID levy-paying members.

Business Watch provides an opportunity for knowledge sharing and an effective aid in combating petty crime. *Business Watch meetings are held on the second Tuesday of

alternate months and are open to businesses with the BID area: *Email reminders will be sent to BID levy paying members confirming venue.

Information is also shared among stakeholders and agencies via the DISC system, a secure, online crime reduction partnership administrative system introduced

by Totally Stockport and based on an App used as a hub to share intelligence on banned individuals, crime trends and identification-sought images.

New for 2020, we are working with our town centre partners to launch a Town Centre Exclusion scheme.

Totally Stockport Magazine A totally great place to advertise your business

Totally Stockport magazine is the ideal place to advertise your business to our readers and your customers in Stockport and surrounding districts including...

Ashton-under-Lyne and High Peak.

Free to pick up in supermarkets, shops and selected destinations, the magazine keeps everyone up to date with what’s hot, what’s happening and what’s on in Stockport town centre. Regular features include seasonal fashion favourites, superstar interviews, local news, new openings, entertainment, leisure and a chance to catch up on what’s making Stockport town centre a great place to work, rest and play.

Totally Stockport’s audience: families, male & females aged 20 to 75 Publication dates: March, June, September, November Our message is simple: come and discover what Stockport town centre has to offer.

Your message can be simple too: come and discover what I can offer!

Full Page / Half Page / Quarter Page available with special rates to Town Centre (levy paying) businesses For more info email: info@totallystockport.co.uk or call 0161 537 9382

What’s On Mon 16 March 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Over 50’s photography social group

Stockport Art Gallery As part of the over 50s Culture Champions programme, a new informal weekly photography group is starting up at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery with the aim of talking about photography, improving your photo skills and knowledge.

You are welcome to bring along either a favourite image that you’d like to share with the group, a photography question you’d like answering or you can just listen to the conversation. This group is suitable for beginners or intermediate photographers. email NRCox@uclan.ac.uk to reserve your place.

Free Tue 17 March and onwards 10am - 5pm

Trouble trail

Stockport Museum A new trail around the Stockport Museum Galleries.

Call 0161 474 4444 for more information Suitable for all ages.

Free Tue 17 March 1:30pm - 3:30pm

Mindfulness colouring for adults

Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery Life is stressful so why not take some time to relax and put your focus elsewhere for a while. Come and colour in some beautiful designs that you can take away with you.

All materials provided or you may bring your own books to colour in.

Free Tue 17 March 2pm - 4pm (And every Tuesday)

DigiKnow Stockport drop-in

Cornerstone Building, 2 Edward Street, SK1 3NQ DigiKnow run a weekly drop-in session at the Cornerstone building every week.

They can help with everything from taking your first steps online and applying for jobs to ordering repeat prescriptions and communicating with friends and family around the world.

If you want to find out more, pop-in and say hello or call 0161 494 9947 and ask for Hayley.

Free

ronment. No need to book, just turn up! £2

Tue 17 March 4.30pm - 7pm

Stockport Central Library Stories, rhymes and songs.

Suitable for pre-school children.

Free

Grow your new business 1-2-1 advice

Stockport Central Library Have you recently started a business, or are you in the first 3 years of trading?

Is the business based in the Stockport local authority area?

If so, why not book a slot to receive some relaxed, friendly 1-2-1 advice from a GC Business Growth Hub Business Advisor.

Free Wed 18 March 1pm - 2.30pm

Creative crochet for over 50’s

(And every Wednesday) Hat Works A 10 week crochet project with a social focus.From the experienced to a beginner, we’ll be able to help you along the way with simple crochet techniques.

We’ll initially be making hats and scarves to be given to homeless people.

This project is part of Stockport’s Culture Champions scheme. info: 0161 480 7731 or email info@ arc-centre.org.

Wed 18 March 1.30pm - 4pm

Tea Dance

(And every Wednesday) Stockport Town Hall Pop along to the weekly tea dance with a tea/coffee interval and try your chances in the raffle. £2.70 on the door Thu 19 March 1pm - 3pm

The Keenagers Stockport

(And every Thursday) The Space, St Petersgate, SK1 1HD The Keenagers is an active Social Group that meets every Thursday. We concentrate on a range of activities including: macrame, copper work and art work We provide different activities every week. We concentrate on making a very welcoming, inclusive and friendly envi-

Thu 19 March 2pm - 2.30pm

Central Library Storytime

Sat 21 March 10am - 4pm

Creative Connections

Stockport Market This experiential event brings together the region’s best artists, artist makers, artisans and creatives. With entertainment, workshops, food, drink, laughter and fun, it’s a place for like-minded people, artists, creatives and connoisseurs to connect, learn, discuss, sell and buy.

Sat 21 March 2pm - 4pm

Meet the artist with Jackie Jamieson

Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery Pop along and meet Vernon Mill artist, Jackie Jamieson to see her latest exhibition ‘A Visual Travelogue’. She’ll talk to visitors about her vibrant artwork.

Free Sun 22 March at 1pm & 4pm

Mother’s Day Champagne Tea

Stockport Plaza With a glass of chilled Champagne on arrival, followed by a sublime English tea this is the perfect indulgence for all mothers who deserve to be pampered.

Thu 26 March 2pm - 2.30pm

Central Library Storytime

Stockport Central Library Stories, rhymes and songs.

Suitable for pre-school children.

Free Thu 26 March 7.30pm - 10pm

Sing with Crystal Chords

(And every Thursday) Stockport Masonic Guildhall 169-171 Wellington Road South If you think you’ll enjoy singing and performing a cappella style, why not come along and see what Crystal Chords is about.

They are an award-winning chorus which enjoys performing, and compet-

ing at home and abroad. They sing a cappella and belong to the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers.

Get in touch if you plan to visit, just in case there’s a change to the schedule.

Email chair@crystalchords.org.uk.

Fri 27 March 6pm - 9pm

Foodie Friday!

Stockport Market Street food, craft ales, live music and hundreds of people.

Sat 28 March 7.30pm-9.45pm

Stockport Symphony Orchestra

Stockport Town Hall A concert where pretty much everyone will know at least some of the music Tchaikovsky, Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture Tchaikovsky, Sleeping Beauty Suite Sibelius, Symphony No 5 Matthew Wood, conductor £15. £13 concession. £5 student. Accompanied children under 16 free Mon 30 March 12pm - 1pm

Lunchtime Wurlitzer Organ Concert

Stockport Town Hall The Monday lunchtime Wurlitzer Organ Concerts are organised monthly by Stockport Events with grateful assistance provided by the Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust. £4 Mon 30 March 1pm - 5pm

Stockport Disability Darts League open day

Stockport Lads Club, Hempshaw Lane Open day for everyone to see our 6 new purpose built disability darts oche’s.

Come and have a go and hear about all the darting opportunities we’re able to provide.

Free Wed 1 April 7.30pm - 10.30pm

Modern Jive Class

Stockport Town Hall The best way to have fun with lots of other people.

Keep fit, learn something new, with a regular partner or with someone brand new. Come with friends or on your own.

What’s On

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All the big events in and around the centre of Stockport up until the end of June. Keep up-to-date with what’s going on at www.totallystockport.co.uk

Beginners with two left feet absolutely welcome. info: call Keith on 07973 350210.

Fri 3 April doors 7pm

Outside the Box Comedy Club Stockport Garrick Theatre www.stockportgarrick.co.uk £12+ booking fee Fri 3 April 7.45pm

Northern Soul Live

Stockport Plaza The amazing Edwin Starr Band with Angelo Starr and Northern Soul Legend Lorraine Silver. Featuring all the Northern Soul, Motown and Soul classics Live band and energetic performances make this the ‘must see’ show. tickets from the Plaza or northernsoullive.com Tue 7 April 6pm

Fostering open evening

Stockport Town Hall If you’re interested in fostering, learn about what it takes to become a foster carer, the different types of fostering and the specialist scheme. You will also hear about the fostering process, how to become a foster carer and you will be given the opportunity to speak to an existing Stockport foster carer.

More info: 0161 474 3400.

Wed 8 April 7pm - 8.30pm

Explorer Tunnel Tours - Going Underground

Air Raid Shelters Take an evening tour around the shelters and see the extent of Stockport’s air raid preparations. Visit areas not usuallly open to the public, including unlit and reinforced tunnelling.

Suitable for ages 11+ Adults £6.50, concessions/under 16s £5.50 Booking essential: 0161 474 1940 Fri 10 April 9pm - 1am

Night Owl Soul Club

Stockport Guildhall, 169 - 171 Wellington Road South The Ballroom plays the best Tamla Motown, Soul Disco and Jazz Funk.

The En-Suite Room playing great North-

ern Soul tunes with Dj’s recreating the magical age of Wigan Casino and the Twisted Wheel. £5 Members £7 non members Sat 11 April 10am - 4pm

Makers Market

Market Place Some of the North West’s finest food, drink, art, design and vintage. Featuring specially selected specialists, who source, grow, rear, bake, make, and create the products they sell. This makes sure their goods are unique, original and designed to inspire.

As 30 March Fri 24 April 2pm - 4pm

Macramé and felting workshops for the over 50’s

Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery Join us for a choice of learning macramé or felt making.

You’ll take home an item you’ve made in this session. All materials provided.

Suitable for ages 50+ and all abilities.

Booking essential as there are limited places.

Call 0161 474 4453 or 07572 533231 for more information or to book.

Free

Easter Pantomime Mother Goose

Sat 4th April 3pm Stockport Co. v Yeovil Town

Stockport Plaza a Crackin’ Easter with a show featuring glittering costumes, hilarious characters and a loveable Goose that we will all fall in love with.

Mon 13th April 3pm Stockport Co. v Harrogate Town Sat 25th April 3pm Stockport Co. v Wrexham

Sun 12 April 10am - 4pm

0Fri 24 April 6pm - 9pm

Stockport Covered Market Hall Vintage clothing and accessories for men and women, vintage jewellery, homewares, decorative items, textiles, luggage, furniture, curios and collectables. £2. Concessions £1.50. Under 12’s free Fri 17 April 11am - 2pm

Stockport Market Street food, craft ales, live music and hundreds of people.

Thu 16 April 6pm - 10pm

An Evening with Steve Davis & Dennis Taylor

LSH Auto Mercedes-Benz, SK4 2BE The evening will include anecdotes from the legends, audience led Q&A’s and an ‘off camera’ insight into their lives and careers as players.

Tickets: www.bit.ly/2Q0dY62 Sat 18 April 10am - 4pm

Creative Connections As 21 March

Mon 20 April 12pm - 1pm

Lunchtime Wurlitzer Concert

Edgeley Park

Sat, 21st March 3pm Stockport Co. v Notts County

Sun 12 - Thu 16 April

Vintage Village

Stockport County

Foodie Friday!

Sat 25 April 1pm - 4pm

Spring themed textile workshop

Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery Come and create a Spring themed picture using a range of techniques including needle felting, collage, knitting or crochet. You you’ll go home with at least one completed piece.

Materials and some equipment provided. Please bring needles and thread and a small pair of scissors.

Suitable for ages 16+.

Booking essential : teresasutcliffe@hotmail.com

County are rolling out ticket scanners across all their entry points meaning that buying tickets online will now provide for faster access to the ground as well as the ability to choose specific seats. To buy online visit: www.stockportcounty.com/match/ match-tickets Ticket prices: Adults £18 Concessions: £12 6-17: £5 5 and under: Free

Sat 25 April - Sat 2 May 7.30pm (not Sunday)

Plaza Suite

Stockport Garrick Theatre Hilarity abounds in Neil Simon’s 3-act play in which a trio of couples succes-

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