Four new sites set to join popular Street Art Trail

Stockport will be building on its fantastic street art trail later this year after securing funding for four more new sites in the town centre.

The street art project was first revealed to residents in 2021 and forms part of Rediscovering the Underbanks initiative, an exciting Townscape Heritage project that aims to bring buildings back into life and reconnect people with the area by raising awareness of its unique heritage.

The project is led by Stockport Council in partnership with Totally Stockport and part funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The new tender has been released this week as part of the council’s Town of Culture status, with four high profile sites in the town chosen to be the home of the new creations.

The new artwork will be in addition to the exciting projects currently being created by GRIT Studios on Hopes Carr and Canal Street, along with the work taking place by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust on Coopers Brow.

Cllr Frankie Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “These art installations will have a strong focus on storytelling and link to the history of the area.

“We are really excited and committed to ensuring that this project is driven by a diverse spectrum of artistic styles, including a cross-genre range of street art and mural styles.

“We already know we have a rich array of talent living and working in our borough, so I am really excited to see the creations that will further cement our Town of Culture status.”

Mike Lamont, Chair of Totally Stockport, Stockport’s BID, said: "After the successful first phase of the Stockport Street Art project we are excited to be part once again of bringing more art to Stockport Town Centre - especially as we are Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2023."

If you are an artist interested in applying for the tender, please contact Rebecca Goddard (Townscape Heritage Assistant) at rebecca.goddard@stockport.gov.uk

Applications should be sent to UnderbanksTH@stockport.gov.uk with a closing date of October 2. The artworks are expected to be installed later in the Autumn.