The Sunday Times have released a list of “the areas hipsters are flocking to” in the UK…
Stretford – which was named one of the ‘six coolest neighbourhoods to invest in now’ by The Sunday Times this weekend, an area that they say “hipsters are flocking to.”
I wouldn’t say that ‘hipsters’ are flocking to Stretford, but there’s set to be some serious investment in the area, which is long overdue, thanks to Bruntwood Works and Trafford Council’s multi-million pound masterplan to transform Stretford Mall and the surrounding area.
The Mall, or Arndale as it was known for years, is now essentially not fit for purpose – being only around 20% occupied. So Bruntwood and the Council plan to completely renovate the area – re-introducing the historic King Street high street, adding green space, improved transport links and reconfiguring the town centre with better connections to the Bridgewater Canal.
It includes five new neighbourhoods, including repurposing the Lacy Street area down the side of the canal into a residential and leisure destination, bringing “people into Stretford from the wider area.”
The Sunday Times notes how the arrival of Manchester’s “coolest corner shop”, Stretford Foodhall has helped change the perception of the area considerably.
And with the much needed ‘revamp’ of Stretford Mall – the area is both desirable and affordable – “attractive to first-time buyers and young families, who also like the six Ofsted-outstanding primary schools.”
