Blueprints unveiled for concluding stages of Stockport Exchange

Nationwide placemaker Muse is collaborating with Stockport Council to submit a planning application for the next stage of the highly successful business hub, Stockport Exchange.

Stockport Exchange has rapidly become one of the most thriving business hubs in the North West, offering top-quality, easily accessible, and sustainable office space right next to the train station. The first three phases of Stockport Exchange, namely 1, 2, and 3 Stockport Exchange, have been completed and are now home to esteemed tenants such as Stagecoach, musicMagpie, Holiday Inn Express, Sainsbury’s, BASF, Industrials REIT, and HURST.

Muse and Stockport Council are now collaborating with architect Sheppard Robson to update the approved masterplan and present detailed plans for the next phase, known as 4 Stockport Exchange. They will also outline plans for the final phases, which reflect the remarkable progress already achieved in delivering four phases of the scheme.

4 Stockport Exchange will consist of 60,000 sq ft of highly sustainable office space, with ground floor areas reserved for shops, cafes, bars, or restaurants. The development will also feature a fully accessible landscaped approach to the train station.

The remaining phases will encompass an additional 185,000 sq ft of office space, along with the potential for up to 100 new residential apartments and flexible ground floor commercial units. To attract more businesses and job opportunities to the town, the plans include the incorporation of new green, safe spaces for employees, visitors, and commuters to enjoy, including a new public square at the heart of Stockport Exchange.

Cllr Colin MacAlister, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating that Stockport Exchange continues to go from strength to strength. He emphasized the council’s commitment to delivering high-quality office space and incorporating much-needed homes in a desirable town center location. Stockport Exchange plays a vital role in the council’s £1 billion regeneration plans, attracting international businesses and setting new standards for quality and design.

Tom Webber, senior development manager at Muse, expressed pride in the progress made at Stockport Exchange and expressed the desire to continue this success with the development of 4 Stockport Exchange and the final phases of the scheme. He highlighted that the offices at Stockport Exchange continue to attract a diverse range of occupiers seeking an accessible and sustainable business hub. The inclusion of a residential element in the wider scheme is also seen as a fantastic opportunity. Webber looks forward to hearing the feedback and input from local residents and businesses regarding the plans.

To engage the community in discussions about the future plans for Stockport Exchange, various communication channels are available for people to express their views:

– Online: Visit www.stockportexchange.co.uk and complete the online questionnaire.
– Drop-in event: Attend the drop-in event at 3 Stockport Exchange, Stockport, SK1 3GG, scheduled for Tuesday 20th February from 3-7pm.
– Email: Contact [email protected].
– Call: Dial 0800 689 1095 (Monday to Friday, 9:00am-5:30pm).
– Write: Send a letter to ‘Freepost HAVE YOUR SAY’ (no further address or stamp needed).

The consultation period will close on 1st March 2024. After considering the responses, the plans will be finalized, and a planning application will be submitted to Stockport Council in spring 2024.

Once completed, the Stockport Exchange development, valued at £145 million, will provide up to 375,000 sq ft of office space and 28,000 sq ft of commercial retail and leisure floor space.

Stockport Exchange is a central component of the broader £1 billion investment currently underway in the town center. It is also part of the £500 million regeneration masterplan being implemented by Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) and its public and private partners. The goal is to transform Stockport into the most sustainable and livable town center in the region within the next decade. The comprehensive 130-acre Stockport MDC masterplan includes the construction of 4,000 new homes, along with local amenities, green spaces, new workspaces, and significant transportation improvements.

For more information about the development, please visit www.stockportexchange.co.uk.