A NEW tourist attraction tucked under railway arches, is coming to the UK.
The Weir Mill development in Stockport, near Manchester, will be located under the town’s iconic railway viaduct.
The Grade-II listed mill will be transformed to feature street food pop-ups, parties, al fresco dining areas and host live music and entertainment.
In the new attraction, there will be a number of different food and drink venues including 10 new bars, restaurants and cafes.
In total, there will be 6,000sqm of outdoor space with planted areas, a riverside terrace and a courtyard at the heart of the destination.
The attraction will be split into six distinct areas: Weir Mill East, The Courtyard, Weavers Square, West Shed, The Waterfront and Wheelhouse, and finally, Chestergate and King Street West.
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At Weir Mill East there will be a rooftop terrace and cafe.
Then at The Courtyard, there will be a number of planted areas with seating as well.
Weavers Square will be the focal point of the development, sat underneath the viaduct and where the markets and pop-ups will take place.
West Shed will be an indoor space with red brick and vaulted ceilings, where people can sit with their laptop and a coffee.
The Waterfront and Wheelhouse will then be an area great for viewing the viaduct itself, with the Wheelhouse converted into a resident gym, lounge and working space.
And finally, at Chestergate and King Street West is where visitors will find most of the stores as well as the trans-pennine way cycle path running alongside this part of the site.
Many of the buildings at the development will feature the same red colour as the machinery found at the mill.
The new destination, which is set to be completed next spring, will also feature 253 homes.
Councillor Micheala Meikle, Stockport Council cabinet member for economy, skills and regeneration, said: “Our town centre regeneration is about more than building new homes, it’s about creating vibrant neighbourhoods and breathing new life into Stockport’s heritage, giving our historic buildings a future.
“While the Grade-II listed former mill is being carefully restored for residents, the new public square will create opportunities for independent businesses to thrive and for people from across the borough to come and enjoy our buzzing town centre.
“It’s incredibly exciting to see how our riverside will soon be opened up into an inviting outdoor space where communities can come together over great food, live music, and creative events from day to night.”
The first food and drink venues at the destination are set to be announced soon.
Weir Mill on the River Mersey in Stockport, dates back to 1790 when it was used as a cotton works.
During the 19th century, the importance of the mill grew as it became a key part of Stockport’s industrialisation.
In 1840, the Stockport Viaduct was then built over the mill and has since become a historic landmark.
In other tourist attraction news, the exciting new hotels, attractions and festivals coming to the UK’s seaside towns and cities next year.
Plus, the top 15 UK attractions for 2025 revealed.
