Cobbled street in Greater Manchester is lined with gorgeous terraces - but not all is as it seems
29.04.2023 - 10:21
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
It’s well documented that in recent years the heart of Stockport has experienced something of a renaissance.
Progress on the £1bn regeneration of the town centre is gaining momentum - as illustrated by the redevelopment of Weir Mill and construction of the new transport interchange - and the increased activity in the borough is attracting attention from far and wide.
The ‘Rediscovering the Underbanks’ project led by Stockport Council, and encompassing Little Underbank, Mealhouse Brow and Lower Hillgate, has been at the centre of the project.
It began in earnest around five years ago and has attracted a string of independent businesses to a picturesque, but once neglected area.
Funded by the National Lottery Fund, the work aims to bring historic buildings back to life, reconnect people with the area and build a narrative around the town’s heritage with the restoration of key buildings.
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Whilst Underbanks has served as the poster child for Stockport’s regeneration, the town, which started from humble beginnings on the south bank of The River Mersey, and experienced massive growth during the industrial revolution, has many more historical areas of interest.
If you’ve ever walked up Lower Hillgate, past Robinsons Brewery, The Mekong Cat and Agapanthus Interiors on your right, then crossed the road over to where Richer Sounds and Fab Music Store are situated, you may have noticed a winding cobblestone road with gas lamps and steps famously painted by L.S. Lowry.
This quiet residential street, with terraced houses on either side, has played an integral role in Stockport’s evolution over the years. It is understood that the street was once part of a