4181: Operation and Management of Stockport Market

The Council is looking for a company to operate and management Stockport Market.

Stockport Market lies at the historic heart of the town and is of significant architectural and topographic interest. It is held in great affection by local residents, but it also recognised as one of the jewels of Greater Manchester. With Stockport Museum, Staircase House and Robinson’s Brewery Visitor Centre, the Market Place has a strong visitor offer.

Stockport Market, which now comprises an outdoor market space and the iconic ‘glass umbrella’ Covered Market Hall, has traded in the same location since 1260. There have been significant improvements to the public realm and built environment around the Market Place over the last 15 years, including the full restoration of the Covered Market Hall, enabled by Heritage Lottery Funding.

Like many other markets, the size and retail diversity of Stockport Market has been significantly reduced over the last 20 years as retail patterns have changed and competition has increased. The problem of Stockport Market is exacerbated by the location of the market in relation to the main shopping area. To overcome this location disadvantage, the market needs to have a strong, diverse and attractive offer which encourages people to travel to the Market Place and to spend quality time there and in the town centre generally.

The Council's vision for Stockport Market is that it will be a location that is a vibrant area with active ground floor uses and a range of activities and animation throughout the day and evening and week, which capitalise on the unique environment and attract different audiences to the area. The vision has a number of key components:

• Food & Beverage
• Independent Shopping & Collectables
• History & Heritage
• Culture & Entertainment