87-91 Lower Hillgate

Image: © Gerald England Taken: 29 Nov 2024

The Enterprise Mural Image on the gable wall of 89 Lower Hillgate offered a pictorial reflection of Stockport's industrial history. It was designed and painted by artist Keith Ormondroyd in 1983. It is now lost behind the metal framework of a potential new building. A proposal for #87 Lower Hillgate was put to the council in 2014 https://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?Id=1678 "The Executive Councillor (Corporate, Customer & Community Services) and Executive Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) have approved, in principle, a package of measures to support significant investment by a prominent occupier in 87 Lower Hillgate. The building currently comprises ca. 14,000 sq. ft., over two floors. It is located within the Covent Garden Masterplan area and has been identified as a key area for investment through the Marketplace and Underbanks Investment Strategy ... The investment will bring 18 new jobs to Stockport town centre, of which 6 will be focused on the retail element of the unit whilst the remaining 12 will be marketing and management roles. NOTE: Details of the application are 'not for publication' because disclosure of the information would be prejudicial to the company involved and the information has been exempt from publication in accordance with Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) because the information 'related to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)'. The actual development appears to be stalled for now. The first Society of Friends (Quakers) Meeting House was built in 1705 on this site. The present building dates from 1910. No 91 (George House) is the taller 2-storey building, with upper floor occupied by a large hall, and partly occupies the site of a former burial ground. It ceased to be a place of worship in 1960. No 89, an integral part of this building, is a lower build which occupies the site of the original meeting house. The building has been used as a commercial premises for many years and currently is home to Base Camp https://www.brandedoutdoorclothing.co.uk/ who specialise in branded outdoor clothing. No 91 has had several retail or office usages over the years.

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