An Independent Guide to Stockport

Stockport has become the new hotspot amongst locals and new visitors alike, both travelling near and far to visit this town located 8-minutes from Manchester. The town offers an array of hidden treasures from bustling modern shopping areas to quaint cobbled streets, as well as heritage attractions such as Stockport Air Raid Shelters, Bramall Hall, Staircase House, Stockport Plaza, and the iconic Hat Works Museum. In recent years Stockport has also become something of a foodie hub and the Underbanks is now an independent shopper’s haven.  

Check out our guide for anyone looking to spend some time in Stockport and some staple places to visit: 

Too good to ignore food spots in Stockport 

Stockport’s Produce Hall has gone through several makeovers over the past 160 years, from being home to fish and meat markets, cheese stalls and sweetshops. Now, home to various food stalls that cater to all tastes from British classics to Spanish delicacies. If you’re a Mackie Mayor or Altrincham Market lover, you’ll love this place.  

Join Foodie Friday Stockport every last Friday of the month from 6-9pm at Stockport Market. The event has become a huge success bringing the local community together, as well as attracting visitors from afar putting Stockport on the map for its ever-growing food and drink culture.  

Be prepared to be left drooling over the variety of traders this event has to offer such as, I Knead Pizza, Oh Mei Dumpling, Oh My Glaze, and Tapas y A La Carta, just to name a few.  

Another one to tick off the list is Stockport’s indoor Market Hall, an old Victorian market, full of independent food stalls and local market fresh goods. 

A must visit is The Artisan Polish Bakery, Sticky Fingers located inside the Market Hall, which is proving to be more and more popular among residents and visitors. They offer a huge selection of breads, traditional cakes, pastries and more. Be prepared to be wowed by their displays that are always full to the brim.  

Ōdiobā is an artisan coffee house by day, serving amazing coffee, bakes, and cocktails. By night, they have local DJs spinning vinyl's, over 3 floors and is the perfect balance between spacious, cosy and cool. They also run a Bar Quiz every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, offering a great general knowledge quiz leaning towards music more. Ōdiobā, is the latest concept by the team behind NAM, formerly based in Ancoats. It has only been open for 3 months but Stockport is excited about what they have in store. 

Hillgate Cakery is a great Vegan Family business offering hot food daily and the most delicious homemade cakes. Tea, coffee, and soft drinks are available to sit in or take away. 

And if you are after a quick coffee to go, Yellowhammer is famous on the streets for its exquisite coffee and most tasty freshly baked bread. They are also a pottery hub and, in the evenings, serve small plates and become a wine bar – this place really has it all!  

Calling all vintage lovers here’s your Stockport checklist: 

Ghost Stock Clothing  

Ghost Stock Clothing is your local, affordable, independent streetwear dealer, and is Gazza Barlow approved. It’s a unique blend of street and skate brands. Owner Katie expresses how the place is, “A space you can walk into with a tenner in your pocket, or a pocket as deep as the ocean. There is always something for everyone. And everyone is welcome through the door, with a warm greeting.” Selling clothes that not everyone has at reasonable prices has made this one to watch in and around Stockport. 

Read more about Ghost Stock Clothing here.  

Soon to celebrate their 1 year on the Underbanks is the brilliant Never Make Waste store, stocking a unique collection of vintage, preloved, reworked and locally made clothing and accessories. The store is welcoming, the owners are so friendly and knowledgeable about their craft. Be sure to pop in and say hello! 

Still Life Story is an independent homeware and lifestyle shop and florist promoting slow living. Nordic inspired and local wares thoughtfully selected to transcend fast moving trends. You will find cute, unique statement pieces that no one else has and be amazed by the gorgeous interior inside.  

They have also just opened a kids shop in Stockport’s Indoor Market.  

20th Century Stores is Stockport’s very own equivalent to Manchester’s iconic Afflecks Palace, get ready to get lost in their own bohemian maze. 20th Century Stores is a vintage lovers paradise, the shop homes specialist independent traders that pride themselves on unique items including homeware, decorative items, furniture, costume jewellery, clothing and accessories. There is no vintage shop in Stockport like this one. 

Other quirky spots to visit: 

White Dragon Tattoo is the longest standing tattoo shop, with 35 years of operating, this place is a staple place for anyone visiting with its old school tattoo sign and regular walk-ins for tattoos and piercings. 

Rare Mags stock rare mags and rare books and hold creative events and talks regularly. Get ready to be wowed by their cute decor and warm welcomes. 

Old Town General Store stock a range of high-end men's and women's fashion and accessories and the Guardian Fashion and the Observer Magazine named them in the top 20 Independent Boutiques in Britain and Ireland. A huge achievement so be sure to pay them a visit.  

SK1 Records is an independent record shop and café in the heart of Stockport's old town. They buy, sell and trade records and hold regular street parties on the Underbank that are always a huge hit!

And you may also like Top of the Town Vintage, Squound and Agapanthus Interiors.  

Street Art in Stockport and the Underbanks area 

Throughout the Underbanks, you will find pieces of street art that reflect the area and its history. For example, the Jimi Hendrix Mural by Artist: Otto Schade, Garden Tiger Moth by Artist: Paintsmiths, Shop Small, Love Local by Artist: Emily Flanagan, the Underbanks Mural by Artist: Qubek and its latest addition, the Sarah Harding mural paying tribute and celebrating the life of Sarah which can now be found at 11 High Street in the town’s Underbank area. 

To find out more about these pieces click here.  

Night time / evening entertainment in Stockport  

• The Spinn Off is a neighbourhood bar offering craft beers, natural wines and cocktails and hold street parties with neighbours SK1 Records.  

• Ōdiobā at night turns into a listening bar made up of 3 floors of different levels of listening with built in DJ decks and a bespoke house made speaker system. Make sure to head down for a boogie.  

• MØ6B is a café, bar and record shop. It’s a great little bar, as it feels like you could be anywhere in the world. A relaxed vibe, industrial setting with a little balcony.  

• Thread lives just opposite the Market Hall and is a Belgium style bar with a wide range of beers on tap.  

• Bohemian Arts Club is a speak easy bar with a cosy, relaxed setting and amazingly master cocktails with great tunes.  

• The Banshee in an Irish bar serving pints of Guinness and live entertainment all weekend long.  

• Stanley’s of Little Underbank is a vintage bar on the cobbles serving up comfort food and cosy vibes (look out for the place with the fairy lights and quirky dog sign on the door).  

And around the Market Hall and underneath the Underbank there are many more bars as nightlife is forever growing. From 2000s classics, or some alternative pop punk. The Bakers Vaults and its surrounding neighbours have you covered. 

And be sure to tag #visitmanchester on socials!