SpaceInvader Delivers Interior Design for £14.5m Cultural Hub in Stockport
SpaceInvader has completed the interior design for Stockroom, a transformative £14.5 million cultural and creative hub at the heart of Stockport Town Centre. Commissioned by Stockport Council and funded through the Future High Streets Fund, the project reimagines a previously underused retail unit into a dynamic civic space designed for learning, creativity, and community connection.
Located within the Merseyway shopping precinct, Stockroom brings together a diverse mix of functions, including a public library, children’s discovery area, café, flexible event spaces, exhibition zones, creative workspaces, and Stockport’s Heritage Centre. It is a bold, future-focused response to the evolving role of the high street, creating a welcoming destination that supports social interaction and cultural engagement.
“We brought SpaceInvader on board to work with us. Their work on Central Library to bring it right up to the 21st century was second to none. We want to harness that and have something that doesn’t currently exist and hasn’t currently existed for many, many years.”
Our brief was to deliver an interior that could serve as both a local anchor and a catalyst for regeneration. The design balances practicality and identity, with adaptable zones that cater to a wide range of users, from young families and students to community groups and visiting artists. Every space has been carefully crafted to be inclusive, accessible, and rooted in the character of Stockport.
Replacing the town’s previous library building, which, though historic, no longer met modern accessibility and use standards, Stockroom offers a 21st-century alternative that encourages participation and discovery. The new environment supports everything from quiet study and toddler play to exhibitions, performances, workshops and cultural events.
The design has delivered a number of strategic benefits to our client, Stockport Council. By revitalising a disused retail unit, we helped maximise the use of existing real estate while contributing to the long-term resilience of the town centre. The project increases footfall, boosts the local economy, and supports surrounding businesses, essential outcomes for a council focused on high street regeneration.
Stockroom also creates a more inclusive civic environment. By replacing the standalone library with a fully accessible and multi-purpose facility, the council can now serve a broader audience and provide better value through flexible, shared-use spaces. The welcoming design encourages community engagement and invites participation from all age groups and backgrounds.
The adaptable nature of the interiors ensures the space will remain relevant into the future, whether for creative programming, civic services, or community events. It’s also a strong example of how design-led regeneration can fulfil the goals of national funding initiatives like the Future High Streets Fund, delivering measurable improvements in accessibility, cultural provision, and economic activity.
The Stockroom project reflects our ongoing belief that interior design has a vital role to play in town centre transformation. By moving away from a traditional, retail-only high street model, councils like Stockport are creating places that serve people in more meaningful and lasting ways.
We’re proud to have contributed to a project that not only elevates Stockport’s physical environment but also strengthens its civic and cultural fabric. Stockroom is a space designed with, by and for its community and we’re looking forward to seeing how it continues to evolve.
Learn more about this project and our approach to civic and cultural interior design here.