Work kicks off on Marple Community Hub
Main contractor Willmott Dixon is off and running, with a groundbreaking ceremony held to mark the start of a £20m project that will co-locate leisure, health and library services in the Stockport town.
Completion is scheduled for 2026 on the scheme at Marple Memorial Park, a project funded in part by the government’s Levelling Up Fund. Sport England is also providing support.
Inked in are a library, five-lane swimming pool, 60-station gym, café, and a new home for Marple Clinic.
The scheme is designed by Pozzoni Architecture.
Cllr Mark Roberts, deputy leader of Stockport Council, said: “This is a major milestone for Marple — a project driven by local voices and delivered in partnership to meet the needs of residents now and for the future.
Completion is expected in 2026. Credit: Pozzoni Architecture
“The hub is a landmark investment in the future of our borough – it’s about more than just bricks and mortar. It’s about creating a vibrant, inclusive space that brings people together, supports healthier lifestyles, and strengthens our local economy.”
Cllr Helen Foster-Grime, cabinet member for communities, culture and sport at Stockport Council, said: “It’s a much-needed project and a really great example of the kind of place-based investment we’ve been championing across our borough for many years. I’m so proud of all the teams involved in making this happen.”
The project represents repeat work in the borough for Willmott Dixon. Darren Palmer, director in the North for the construction firm, said: “We share Stockport Council’s passion for ensuring this vibrant and innovative community hub creates opportunities for the people of Marple.
“In recently delivering Stockport Interchange and Viaduct Park, our team worked alongside incredible local organisations such as PURE College and we proud to be doing so again.”
Sport England described the scheme as “a prime example of the smart way in which we’re investing in places across England to support more people to be physically active”.
Willmott Dixon is now on site. Credit: Pozzoni Architecture
Are they ‘Inked in’ or just ‘planned’? I can’t keep up with this modern lingo.
By Anonymous
Thought this was destined to never happen. Good stuff.
By Tom
I suppose with a limited budget they couldn’t afford a decent architect. More boring boxes
By Phil
Not often I say this, but we’ll done Stockport. A good project that will benefit local people right in the middle of marple to make it easy to walk or cycle.
By Peter Black
I hope the real thing looks better than artists impressions
By Anon
Look good as design building modern….I’m very happy with that.
By G J Kitchener
There’s always a Phil.
By Not phil
This was Stockport’s share of the Levelling Up money wasn’t it, which SMBC decided to spend on the notoriously deprived and left-behind hell hole of Marple, for reasons entirely unconnected to the Lib Dems wanting to win back the Hazel Grove parliamentary seat last year?
Nice building though…
By Missed Marple
seems such a waste to build such a small pool.. 5 lanes?? grand central in stockport has 8 lanes and that can get congested.. the old pool always had an issue with being too small.. what idiots to overlook such an issue..
By Dave