GALLERY | Stockport eyes 2025 opening for Stockroom
It has been four years since the community hub and replacement library in the town centre was floated. Now, the project is well on its way to fruition, with main contractor Kier on target to complete the scheme next spring.
Stockport Council has unveiled a series of new CGIs giving a taste of what the future Stockroom will look like.
“Sharing these fantastic images of Stockroom is really exciting and brings our creative vision to life,” said Cllr Frankie Singleton, Stockport’s cabinet member for communities, culture, and sport.
“After working so closely with the community and creative partners to create a welcoming space for anybody and everybody, this latest milestone feels like a huge achievement by everyone involved.”
Stockroom will sit within Merseyway Shopping Centre, having taken over 135,000 sq ft of vacant retail units. It will hold the town library, café bar, town archives, events space, and a children’s creative learning area.
AEW Architects and Space Invader worked together on the designs. The project team also includes landscape architect CW Studio, project manager and planner CBRE, and engineer SI Sealey.
Stockroom has been a controversial project, with the council facing public opposition over the relocation of Central Library from its listed building home off Wellington Road.
Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, was vocal in his support for the scheme.
“Stockroom is an integral part of our transformation of Merseyway and the wider £1bn town centre investment which is currently underway,” he said.
“The project will transform 135,000 sq. ft of vacant retail units and continue our work to create a vibrant, thriving town centre fit for the future. The images look superb and I’m looking forward to Stockroom welcoming its first visitors as we continue to make Stockport the best place for all our residents to live happy and healthy lives.”
Stockroom is supported by £14.5m received from the government’s Future High Street Fund.
Click any image to launch gallery. All CGIs are by AEW Architects and Space Invader.
- The Stockroom Library
- Stockroom from Adlington Walk
- The cafe/bistro area at Stockroom
- The studio space at Stockroom
- The studio space at Stockroom set up for a standing event
- The first-floor library at Stockroom.
What a waste of space. The last thing that’s needed is a ‘Stockroom’! The Town Hall needs to entice Businesses, not a Leisure Centre. Also, why move the ‘Library ‘ from a Grade 2 listed building to this prefab. Why are the ‘Councilors’ wrecking the heart of my Town? You weren’t elected to do that.
By Evie
Can’t wait for this to open, so much more accessible than the current central library, hopefully more people will use it – a brilliant resource for Stockport, and much better than a load of empty shops.
By Anonymous
Fantastic. Give the library a new, fitting purpose, and this is a masterstroke.
By Tom
I agree Evie
By Andy Hunt
Really looking forward to Stockroom opening, the engagement with the local community so far has been positive. As with any project like this, there will be negative detractors, who I am sure will be won over in time.
By Anonymous
I also agree with Evie.
By Anonymous
Stockport’s biggest problem is its disconnect to a large number of affluent district centres around the borough from East, South, West, and parts of the North of the town centre.
It is only when these people with £ in their pockets choose to visit the town centre will it thrive, otherwise, the more housing that can be put in the centre of Stockport, the better.
By AltPoV