The Council is teaming up with town centre businesses, Merseyway Shopping Centre, community groups, market traders and residents in a bid to become a ‘Portas Pilot’.

Mary Portas, who carried out an independent review of high streets last year, is working with the Government to offer grants of up to £100,000 to the most innovative ideas to rejuvenate local high streets.

Stockport’s bid will be based on showing strong leadership and commitment, innovation and potential for improvement. Part of the bid will be to form a ‘town team’ made up of different groups, to drive forward innovation and improve the way the town centre is managed.