Over the next 12 months, a partnership between Stockport Council and Laurus Homes, will convert the 15th Century White Lion pub into 11 high quality apartments above a new ground floor restaurant premises.
When complete, the £2.4m restoration of the Grade II listed building will feature seven one-bed, three two-bed and one two-bed duplex apartments all set above a new restaurant, creating a modern place for people to live and visit in the heart of Stockport’s Underbanks, with links across the whole town centre.
The start of work comes as the transformation underway in Stockport town centre continues. New homes are being created, Redrock is open, new shops, events and businesses are coming to Stockport and the first office building at Stockport Exchange is fully let, all giving visitors and residents even more to choice in our town whether they are looking to live, work, play or connect. The renovation of the White Lion, is a part of the ongoing investment taking place in the Underbanks and Market Place, rejuvenating this unique and important part of Stockport town centre.
As work begins, Stockport Council has just reconfirmed its commitment to boosting town centre living at its Town Centre Living Summit.
By creating opportunities to partner with developers, the Council plans to boost the town’s residential offer by transforming buildings, giving even more opportunities for residents to move into the Stockport town centre.
The White Lion, and Laurus Homes’ plans to rejuvenate it, show just how the Council want to work with developers to reinvigorate buildings in our town centre.
Larry Gold, MD Developer & Deputy CEO of Trafford Housing Trust said: “As a property developer who is also part of a major housing association Trafford Housing Trust, Laurus Homes fully embraces Stockport Council’s collaborative approach.
“We know that for sensitive and complex schemes like this to be genuinely sustainable, and add real value to the local community, they need to be driven by a partnership where all parties share the same vision. Our close working relationship with Stockport Council on projects like the White Lion, and the wider Underbanks regeneration, demonstrates this approach in action.”
Caroline Simpson, Corporate Director for Place at Stockport Council commented: “I’m delighted that work breathing life back into The White Lion has begun. Injecting new life back into historic buildings is vital to ensuring Stockport is a vibrant and popular place to live, work, play and connect 24/7.
“As Stockport’s exciting transformation continues, the heart of our town is becoming a popular and attractive place to live. Creating new homes, like the new apartments in the White Lion, as well as improved public spaces for everyone to enjoy, is vital in making sure we fulfil our vision of Stockport becoming the town centre residential location of choice in South Manchester.”
