Stockport, a town in Greater Manchester, has been affectionately dubbed 'the New Berlin' by locals and artists. Alex Seabrook visited to see if the comparison holds, discovering a vibrant town centre with a flourishing food and nightlife scene, though with clear differences.
From Scepticism to Surprise
Seabrook was initially sceptical about the claim, but after a long weekend, he found some truth in the joke. Having lived in Berlin a decade ago, he recalled the city's sense of possibility, pluckiness, and independence. In Stockport's suddenly trendy town centre, he felt a similar vibe.
Foodie Heaven: Where the Light Gets In
The regeneration began with Where the Light Gets In, a restaurant in a Victorian tobacco warehouse that grows vegetables on a shopping centre car park roof. Seabrook enjoyed a set menu called 'A Study in Crab', converting him to crab consumption. He described the potato salad with green nettle mayo as "a work of art" and compared the experience to heroin.
Underbanks and Nightlife
The Underbanks area now hosts sourdough bakeries, trendy bars, and independent shops like Rare Mags, which sells Tokyo style magazines and Cardiff coffee. The Stockport Pyramid, an Indian restaurant, was noted as a local landmark. For nightlife, Holy Diver offers rock music until 2am with karaoke, while Bruk and Ōdiobā serve house music. On the last Friday of each month, Foodie Friday brings street food vendors and packed bars, reminiscent of Berlin's Admiralbrücke.
Regeneration and Reality
Outside the town centre, betting shops and dilapidated buildings remain, similar to Berlin's Moabit or Marzahn. However, a £2-billion regeneration plan is creating thousands of new homes and workspaces. Seabrook noted that Stockport is walkable, with friendly locals and better beer, such as at Runaway Brewery's 'Weird Weekends' offering pilsner, barley wine, sour beer, and a pomodoro with tomato, salt, fennel, and chilli.
Highlights and Honest Comparisons
Breakfast pastries from Sticky Fingers and dinner at Cantaloupe, serving rabbit stew and anchovies wrapped in sage leaves, were highlights. The Hat Museum, however, didn't compare to Berlin's Museum Island. A greetings card proclaiming Stockport as 'Das neue Berlin' sealed the deal for Seabrook.
This press trip was organised with Stockport Council and funded by Totally Stockport, the business improvement district.
