Stockroom welcomed by thousands as Stockport enjoys record-breaking week

The buzz was felt across the town, with Merseyway Shopping Centre recording its busiest week of 2025 so far. Visitor numbers were up 5% compared to the same week last year, and 10% higher than the week before – a clear sign of the town centre’s growing appeal, boosted by the arrival of Stockroom alongside a fantastic mix of shops, food, and family-friendly experiences.

The opening weekend not only saw record-breaking visitor numbers but also showcased an impressive lineup of events and activities. Over the course of three days, Stockroom delivered 40 events and activities, attracting over 700 participants who took part in booked events. The library welcomed 517 new members, with 3,697 book loans and 1,671 book returns recorded. Additionally, the computer facilities were in high demand, with a total of 587 hours of usage.

Stockroom has been transformed into a vibrant new venue that blends learning, culture, performance, and play. It includes a modern library, children’s creative play and learning space, Stockport’s historical archives, a café bar, Stockroom Studios, and welcoming spaces to relax and connect. It’s designed to be an inclusive, accessible place where everyone can come together – and the opening weekend showed it’s already capturing people’s imaginations.

Cllr Dan Oliver, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Public Protection at Stockport Council, said: "We’ve always said Stockroom would be something really special for Stockport – a place to inspire people, spark creativity and bring the community together – and it’s clear that residents feel the same. The atmosphere has been fantastic, and it’s brilliant to see people of all ages exploring what Stockroom has to offer. Combined with another record-breaking week at Merseyway, it’s a great sign of what’s to come. Stockport is thriving – and this is just the start."

Victoria Nichol, Centre Manager at Merseyway Shopping Centre, said: "The opening of Stockroom has created an incredible buzz across the town centre and it’s fantastic to see such a strong and positive response from the public. We’ve just experienced our busiest week of 2025 so far at Merseyway - a real reflection of the growing momentum here in Stockport. With Stockroom now open, new state-of-the-art customer facilities and an exciting summer ahead, including the return of our popular outdoor beach, there’s a real sense of energy and optimism. It’s a brilliant time for Stockport - and we’re proud to be right at the heart of it.".

The visitor numbers mark another high point for Merseyway, which celebrated a record-breaking year in 2024. The centre attracted an incredible seven million visitors – the highest in recent memory – thanks to a packed programme of family-friendly events, the arrival of popular new brands, and the success of community initiatives.

Merseyway and Stockroom’s performance reflects the wider transformation of Stockport town centre, which continues to go from strength to strength as part of the UKs largest town centre regeneration. A combination of shopping, food, culture, and green spaces – alongside major investment in infrastructure and new homes – is making Stockport one of the North West’s most exciting places to live, visit, and invest in.

There’s plenty more to discover at Stockroom this June, with a growing line-up of creative, cultural and community events for all ages. Highlights this month include:

• Stockport Zine & Print Fair – Saturday 14 June: A celebration of independent publishing, design and illustration, this lively fair brings together zine-makers, print artists and small presses from across the region. Expect hands-on workshops, creative stalls, and a chance to meet the makers.
• Heatons Comedy Evening – Saturday 14 June: A night of top-notch stand-up comedy in Stockroom’s welcoming performance space, featuring a handpicked line-up of rising stars and established acts from the UK circuit. A great night out with friends in the heart of the town centre.
• Brutalist Banquet – Saturday 21 June: Ticket includes a fun hands-on workshop at Merseyway Workshop and a delicious vegetarian banquet. Supported by Totally Stockport.
• Hala Hala  – Sunday 29 June: A brand-new event celebrating Arabic and south Asian music and arts culture in Stockport, featuring singing, dancing, music, calligraphy and Rangoli. A selection of Arabic and Indian foods will be on offer for visitors to try and enjoy.

With Stockroom now open and a packed programme of summer events on the way, there’s even more for residents and visitors to look forward to in 2025. Find out more and follow us on Instagram to keep up to date with all the latest news.