The UK town nicknamed the ‘new Berlin’ that Brits are flocking to – thanks to £1billion revamp
A TOWN in the UK has become so trendy it has been dubbed the “new Berlin” – with a huge regeneration project planned.
With Berlin known for its bizarre clubs and bars, it seems unlikely that somewhere in the UK could match up.
However, the town of Stockport, just outside the city centre of Manchester, was named the “new Berlin” by DJ Luke Unabomber last year.
And former MEN editor Eric even created “Das neue Berlin” Stockport artwork to celebrate its claim.
While a joke, many locals have leaned into it with the often-overlooked town being a trendy place to visit.
It’s now home to Underbanks, an area full of breweries and shops selling vintage clothes, vinyls and rare magazines.
Nearby is Strawberry Fields, a recording studio which attracted Joy Division, The Smiths, The Stone Roses, and Paul McCartney.
Stockport band Blossoms has seen a rising popularity in recent years, playing at Glastonbury this year, while locals often flock to venue Bask with live music and late-night gigs.
Other famous celebs to have come from Stockport include Claire Foy, Tess Daly and Michelle Keegan, as well as boxer Ricky Hatton and Sex Education star Aimee Lou Wood.
And it even has a Michelin-recommended restaurant, Where The Light Gets In.
Local vintage shop owner Sophia Barrese told local media: “I think there’s definitely a buzz about Stockport, so many great attributes is one place, so if you want something like city living you have Underbanks and the Market, but if you want a taste of country living, you are only 10 minutes from that too.”
The loved Stockport pyramid jokingly named the “eighth wonder of the world” is set to open to the public next year as an Indian restaurant.
And a huge £1billion regeneration project is transforming the town centre.
This includes a new £45million leisure facility, which has a 10-screen Light Cinema, bowling alley and restaurants.
And part of the £145million Stockport Exchange development has already been completed, with offices and shops, with plans for a new Town Centre Interchange with its own rooftop garden.
An abandoned mill, now named Weir Mill, will also build more than 250 new apartments after a £7million Homes England funding was confirmed.
Not only was it named one of the best places to live by the Sunday Times, but it was recently named one of the best for first-time buyers as well as retirees by Which?.
According to The Times: “What was once a standard former mill town has reinvented itself as a funky, family-friendly alternative to Manchester’s Northern Quarter.”
To get to Stockport, trains take around 10 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly.
It’s cheap to stay too, with Travelodge, Premier Inn and Holiday Inn starting from £41.
The Sun Online Travel team recently went to Manchester to try out the new New York-style viaduct – here’s how to do a trip to the UK city.
And here’s what it’s like to live in Time Out’s “coolest UK neighbourhood”.