Since its establishment in 1999, Stockport Economic Alliance has developed into an effective partnership of Stockport’s major employers and organisations, all with an interest in developing and growing the local economy.
The Alliance is key to helping Stockport achieve its vision of a growing economy and works to ensure Stockport fulfils its potential by building and developing its asset base, ensuring that it continues to be a successful and prosperous location for the benefit of all its residents.
Stockport Economic Alliance is responsible for overseeing the delivery of Stockport’s Economic Development Strategy and has recently launched a new strategy that reflects the changing needs and challenges ahead.
Stockport’s Economic Development Strategy 2012-2017 has at its heart a vision for Stockport to:
“build on its position as a growth economy in Greater Manchester, connecting its residents and businesses to more opportunities, and providing an ideal environment to start, grow and locate a business.”
The strategic vision of the Stockport strategy is based on the need to reflect the key aspects of economic development in the borough around the themes of Business. Place and People.
Stockport has proven itself to be a town in which companies can grow and flourish and Stockport’s Economic Development Strategy seeks to ensure that we build on these strengths, whilst addressing any challenges that may impact on future development.
Our Achievements
Stockport Economic Alliance observed a number of successes over the past ten years, including:
- Inward investment to Stockport creating and safeguarding over 14,000 jobs and totalling over £185 million investment (2002 – 2012)
- The development of the successful Cheadle Royal Business Park, creating 660,000 sq. ft. of head office space and of Kings Reach Business Park and S:Park within in the M60 Gateway.
- Regeneration of the historic areas of Stockport Town Centre, including new retail, residential and leisure space, restoration of the covered market hall and new developments such as the grade A office space at St Peter’s Square, occupied by BSkyB.
- The establishment of business start-up initiatives, including specialist support for women start-ups, the over 50s and market traders.
- The support of enterprise and innovation through a range of business support services, business sector networks and local procurement events.
- The development and growth of a business incubator facility at Broadstone Mill, Reddish and continued provision of managed workspace in Houldsworth Mill
- The development of employment initiatives such as Stockport Into Work, Future Jobs Fund and Apprenticeships supporting people into employment.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Stockport Economic Alliance serves a key role in helping to create the right conditions for economic and employment growth in a number of ways, whilst also influencing others to contribute to this aim. The Alliance’s roles include:
- Overseeing the implementation of the Economic Development Strategy and action plan
- Representing the needs and concerns of the local business community in matters of strategic importance
- Developing a response to changes in the local, regional and sub-regional economy/business environment which may have an impact on Stockport
- Identifying and implementing actions as and when necessary, to ensure that the Economic Development Strategy continues to be relevant and have a positive impact on the local economy
- Setting the agenda for future activity to be included within the strategy and its associated action plans
Further information
Members of Stockport Economic Alliance meet at least 4 times a year. Current member organisations are listed below.
The Alliance is also responsible for a number of business networking events including Meet the Buyer, the South Manchester Finance and Professional Services Network, Stockport Low Carbon Business Network and the Creative Stockport Network. For further information regarding network events please see related documents.
Members
- adidas
- Allied Bakeries
- APS
- Benchmark Building Supplies
- BT
- Clarke Nicklin
- Gorvins
- Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
- Hughes Safety Showers
- Jacobs Engineering
- MAN Diesel & Turbo Uk Ltd.- Chair
- NXP Semiconductors
- SAS Daniels Lawyers
- Stockport College
- Stockport Council
- Thales Naval UK
- The Co-operative Bank
Contact us
For more information on how Stockport Economic Alliance are working together to enhance Stockport’s economy please contact the Alliance directly (see 'Related Contacts').