Stockport civic complex to tribute Fred Perry

Stockport Council is planning an everlasting tribute to one of its most famous sporting champions, tennis legend Fred Perry.

Councillors want to name a new £12m civic complex in honour of the three times Wimbledon tennis champion.

Cllr Dave Goddard, Stockport Council leader, said: "Fred Perry is known the world over for his determination to succeed, to drive himself from excellent to exceptional.

"Even when he was one of the best tennis players in the world, he continued to practise constantly, to dedicate himself to becoming continually ever better. That demanding spirit is so characteristic of our borough that it would be a great fit with our new civic complex.

"We are now in the process of contacting his family and going through the appropriate process to officially name the building after him."

Carillion is the appointed developer on the project and construction started in August last year, which is scheduled to complete in November.

The 40,000 sq ft development is being project managed by NPS Stockport on behalf of the council and Archial Architects is the architect on the scheme.

Stockport Council said the new building will further improve efficiency within the council by reducing the number of buildings in the civic complex from 11 to three, at no additional cost to the council tax payer.

The development, located on Edward Street, achieved a BREEAM 'excellent' rating with a partial 'green' roof, solar shading and a rainwater harvesting system.

Fred Perry was born in Portwood in Stockport on 19 May 1909 and died on 2 February 1995 in Melbourne. There is a Blue Plaque outside his childhood home on Carrington Road.