The development of the former White Lion pub in Stockport town centre has scooped a top gong at a regional awards ceremony.
The joint entry from Stockport Council and Trafford Housing Trust took the top prize in the ‘Best Change of Use of an Existing Building’ category for the work in transforming the former pub, which had been derelict for more than ten years, into eleven one and two bedroomed luxury apartments as part of a multi-million pound investment.
The award success was part of the Local Authority Building Control Awards and this entry was recognised as best in class in the North West region.
Councillor David Meller, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “This is fantastic news – the hard work that has gone into bringing this historic building back to life and transforming it into one of the most sought after residential locations in Stockport town centre, has quite rightly, been recognised by external experts.
“Our investment in the Underbanks and town centre as a whole is really paying off, with people seeing Stockport as a great place to live, work and do businesses – even during these challenging times.
“Thank you to everyone involved in this fantastic project and helping local people find homes which they can proud of.”
Edna Robinson, Group Chair of Trafford Housing Trust, said: “This is a wonderful award, and we are delighted to have won it alongside our partners. We are extremely proud to have taken an unloved, derelict former pub and transformed it in to one of Stockport’s premier redevelopments, as part of the ambitious plans to revitalise the town centre.
“Letting the properties under the rent to buy scheme gives customers access to affordable housing, and highlights Trafford Housing Trust’s ongoing commitment both to the growth of Northern towns and to tackling the housing crisis.”
The renovation of the White Lion forms part of the council’s £7 million investment in the Underbanks and Market Place to transform this unique and important part of Stockport Town Centre.