Work starts on £60m Weir Mill

Main contractor John Sisk & Son has begun enabling works to ready the way for Capital&Centric’s 253-apartment project in Stockport.

Over the course of two years, Sisk and developer Capital&Centric will restore the historic Weir Mill, transforming the Victorian structure into apartments. Under the plans designed by BDP, there will also be two new-build blocks of flats and 24,000 sq ft of space for amenities and commercial activity such as gardens, stores, cafes, and events.

CGI showing what the completed Weir Mill project will look like. Credit: via Font Comms

The future Weir Mill development will be divided into various sections, which were described in a press release as follows:

• Chestergate and King Street West: A new gateway into the town centre, with ground floor spaces for independent shops, cafes or delis and plenty of lush greenery.
• Water Front: A new public space looking out across the River Mersey, providing a place for riverside chilling in the evening sun or some fine dining in the restored Wheel house overlooking the water.
• Weir Mill East: Sensitively designed new buildings featuring a mix of homes, drawing inspiration from the site’s manufacturing history.
• Weavers Square: What will become the heart of the scheme and a new destination for Stockport. The old cast iron columns of Weavers Shed are being retained to create a vibrant new outdoor space for riverside street markets, DJ sets, live music events and performing arts.
• West Shed: A striking indoor space with exposed brick vaulted arches and cast-iron columns, creating a relaxed space to take your laptop, grab a coffee and while away the day.
• West Courtyard: The former working courtyard to the mills, this will be a quieter, more contemplative garden space for residents and the general public to chill out, with plants, trees and secluded spaces to explore.

Funding for the £60m project comes in part from Homes England’s Housing Infrastructure Fund and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Brownfield Fund. Capital&Centric also secured a loan of £100m from the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation’s investment facility to help kickstart construction.

Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital&Centric, shared his excitement for the project.

“There’s so much love locally for Weir Mill and it’ll be awesome to see the neighbourhood take shape as we get to work,” he said.

“We’ve been floored by the pent-up anticipation for this project and are determined to do the historic buildings justice – cementing their place in Stockport’s future.”

Stockport Council leader Cllr Mark Hunter said: “This is a momentous occasion for Stockport as work starts to transform this area of the town centre into a new £60m neighbourhood, providing hundreds of much-needed new homes, as well as vibrant outdoor spaces and even more great leisure facilities for people to visit and enjoy.

“Confidence from the private sector has never been better, and the fact that we’re attracting renowned developers like Capital&Centric to take this project forward speaks volumes,” Hunter continued.

Capital&Centric’s Tim Heatley, Stockport Council’s Cllr Mark Hunter and Caroline Simpson, and Stockport MDC’s Paul Richards on the site of Weir Mill. Credit: via Font Comms

Weir Mill is part of Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation’s £1bn town centre masterplan, which also includes the nearby Stockport 8 project and Stockport Interchange.

“It is an exciting time for Stockport,” said Lord Bob Kerslake, chairman of Stockport MDC.

“We are seeing substantial change and progress made across the 130-acre Town Centre West regeneration district, with Weir Mill the latest in a number of new developments to start on site in recent months.v

“Weir Mill will not only deliver new homes within the town centre, it will allow the people of Stockport to once again enjoy this historic building, as it becomes re-activated with spaces for the community,” he continued.

“We are looking forward to working closely with our partners at Capital&Centric, and to continue demonstrating the strength of public and private sector collaboration.”