Stocksbridge’s high street is set for a major facelift as plans to renovate the Manchester Road shopping precinct have been granted planning permission.
The project will transform 15 shop fronts close to the former Stocksbridge Community Library site, which is currently being cleared to make way for the new Stocksbridge Hub 519 development. The aim is to create a more attractive, cohesive look that reflects the historic character of the area while enhancing the overall shopping experience.
Changes to the shop fronts will include:
The project has been a key priority for the Stocksbridge Towns Fund Board since local consultations in 2020 highlighted the need to upgrade the precinct. While the designs have evolved since the original concept design release in 2023 and further following feedback from businesses, the focus remains on the shop fronts. Changes to the first floor will be minimal to ensure funding delivers maximum impact for the whole community.
The new external elements will be hardwood and treated for longevity, requiring only repainting every five to eight years. Shop owners will maintain their own frontages, as they do now, without additional upkeep costs.
John Crawshaw, one of the Stocksbridge Towns Funds Board’s representatives on the Manchester Road Shop Fronts Project, said:
“This area of Stocksbridge was highlighted for improvements during the public consultations that were conducted throughout the town by the board and council officers, so we are delighted that planning consent has been granted.
“We know that those who own and run premises in the shopping precinct have been waiting patiently for this project to move forward.
“We thank them for their patience, and we encourage as many units as possible to take advantage of this investment. The more shops that participate with the renovations will enhance the overall appearance so we can all really see the effect of the changes.
“With planning permission agreed, we can really push on with renovating this area and making it a wonderful shopping destination right in the heart of the town.”
Fellow project board representative Ian Sanderson added: “The shopfront scheme is all part of the plan to create a vibrant, higher footfall high street, linking together the Co-Op, and the new Hub 519 building down to Lidl and Fox Valley.
“Smarter, well-presented shops are more appealing to customers and help the tenants trade better, which in turn ensures the Landlords are happy which can lead to more investment. It kickstarts a positive cycle which is good for jobs and the local population in general”
Work will proceed in 2026, once agreements are in place with individual shop owners.
For more details and updates, visit the Stocksbridge Towns Fund website.