The changes and developments in Stockport of late have been very welcoming for people who know and love the area. The changes in the town centre have been fantastic, not only making the area look nicer but there have been business and property developments too. These are all positive aspects that make people sit up and take notice of Stockport but there is an argument that the town perhaps needs something else to give it an edge.
In business these days, it helps to have a niche or something you offer that isn’t available everywhere. This style of thinking is behind the calls for the council leaders in Stockport to ensure that independent traders have a big role to play in the continuing development of Stockport’s old town. The driving force is the plans to make Produce Hall into a place where food lovers and advocates congregate.
Foodie Friday could be rolled out permanently in Stockport
Foodie Friday has been a great success in Stockport and it seems as though the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) are behind plans to see this set-up extended into something more permanent. There is certainly a gamble to be made in turning to independent traders as opposed to tried and tested big brand names, but this may be something that helps Stockport stand out from the crowd. When the companies in the town centre are local firms who are 100% behind the community and have huge motivation to be a success, you may find that there is an added level of drive and determination to be a success.
People backing the case for the roll-out of the foodie image have pointed to Altrincham where independent traders are at the heart of regeneration in that area. There is a lot of hard work and effort to be undertaken but there is no doubt that turning to local producers and professionals could bring Stockport’s identity to the fore.
Could independent traders shape Stockport’s future?
There is no doubt that craft produce and independent trading is very popular at the moment, there is a desire for people to work in this manner and there is a desire to buy products of this nature. It may be that an area like this in Stockport could be the catalyst for increased footfall in the town centre area and for more people to take a genuine interest in what Stockport has to offer.
At Spencer Harvey, we love good food and we love Stockport, so we definitely have a vested interest in how these proposals plan out. When local businesses thrive, the whole community benefits, and we believe it Stockport town centre is doing well, the property market benefits too. If you want to arrange a meeting with Spencer Harvey, contact us on 0161 480 8888 or send us an email at info@spencerharvey.co.uk. For a free valuation please visit: https://www.spencerharvey.co.uk/valuation-enquiry.html