Future tenants due to move into the new £8m Summers Quay development in Tameside later this year visited the site today with their local MP to mark the start of the building being ‘unwrapped’.

It will take around six weeks to completely remove the scaffolding and unveil the Stalybridge scheme where 67 luxury one and two bed apartments and penthouses for private rent are being built.

The process will also see approximately 45,000 sq. ft. of mesh sheeting taken down from the seven-storey building at Armentieres Square to reveal its façade for the first time.

Summers Quay is the first private rent development to be undertaken by housing association New Charter Group, through its commercial property arm, Cavendish Property Developments.  Returns from the development will be reinvested into affordable housing across Greater Manchester.

Stalybridge regeneration: GM Mayor’s Town Centre Challenge

The scheme is key to the regeneration of Stalybridge and last week Tameside Council confirmed the area will receive further support from Greater Manchester (GM) Mayor Andy Burnham, who visited the site earlier this month as part of his Town Centre Challenge.

Stalybridge is one of 10 towns from across Greater Manchester to be put forward for the challenge which is a new initiative to breathe life back into town centres with a focus on better housing and a steer away from green-field development.

Through his new powers, the GM Mayor will work with councils, housing providers, public and private landlords, developers and communities to unlock the potential in town centres including Stalybridge.

More than a third of apartments already reserved

Summers Quay is expected to complete in July and more than a third of apartments have already been reserved off-plan during a special offer last month.

Early birds Jennifer Manley and Katy Wright have secured their new homes and joined Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds, New Charter Group, contractors and partners on site to see the start of the scaffolding being removed.

Katy, 26, from Stalybridge has reserved a one-bed courtyard apartment with her partner Matthew and it’s their first home together.

She said: “We live with our parents now so it’s really exciting to be getting a brand new place together in a good spot that’s close to the train station so we don’t always have to use our car.”

Jennifer, 71, from Glossop is downsizing from her privately-owned three-bed home to a two-bed apartment with her daughter Rosalind.

Jennifer added: “I’ve watched Summers Quay being built and it ticked all the right boxes for us being on the doorstep of the town centre and close to the supermarket, bus stop and train station. It’s going to be fantastic. We’ve secured a car parking spot too and if we need any maintenance support, we can just get on the phone for help rather than worry about it.”

Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds added: “Summers Quay is a brilliant development that’s turned a site that needed regeneration into an asset for Stalybridge.

“Town centres are important to any town and we need a bright future for Stalybridge which means people living in the centre with retail and leisure facilities and this development feels like a good step forward. I’ve been to the top of the building and the views are fantastic.”

A one-bedroom unit with a courtyard view at Summers Quay is available for private rent from £575 per calendar month (pcm) and £595pcm for a canal side view. Two-bedroom units are priced at £675pcm for a courtyard and £695pcm for canal side. There are also six penthouse apartments priced at £750pcm and £775pcm. 53 car parking spaces are available at the development at a rate of £25pcm alongside cycle spaces. Apartment rental prices include a service charge.

Ground floor commercial and leisure accommodation of 245 sq. m is currently being marketed by Stockport based, Impey.

Customers who reserved an apartment during the initial phase launch in January benefitted from the added incentive of free car parking for six months and one lucky person won a furniture set.

John Ardern, Director of Development at New Charter Group added: “As a trusted landlord we want to build a range of quality for homes and we hope Summers Quay brings brand confidence into the private rented sector.

“We’ve had lots of interest in the apartments so far and a third have already been reserved during the first month of opening reservations which is fantastic.

“The removal of the scaffolding signifies a really important time for Stalybridge and Greater Manchester’s Mayor’s Town Centre Challenge should attract continued growth and investment to the area.”

David Chilton, Director from Rowlinsons who are building the project designed by Pozzoni Architects added “We are delighted to be delivering this project in a town that is experiencing an exciting renaissance and I believe the properties will meet the rising demand in this area for contemporary and high quality apartment living.”

Anyone interested in an apartment at Summers Quay can register their interest online at www.summersquay.co.uk or via local lettings agents Taylor and Wood on 07483167800.

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For further information please contact Justine McGuinn of Just PR & Marketing on 07903 661228 or justine@justprm.co.uk.