A key milestone in Stockport’s urban regeneration journey was marked as the Battersby Hat Factory Development in Offerton was officially opened at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local dignitaries, partners, and members of the community.

Held on the morning of Monday 16 June, the event celebrated the transformation of the historic Hempshaw Mills site, once home to the world-renowned Battersby Hat Works into a vibrant new neighbourhood of 144 modern homes.

The opening featured speeches from Rupert Battersby, descendant of the factory’s founder; Tim Pinder, Director of Property at Stockport Homes Group; and Councillor Jake Austin, Cabinet Member for Housing & Environment and Councillor for Hazel Grove. A commemorative ribbon-cutting and tree planting, captured by photographer Robert Battersby, was followed by a guided tour of the development and refreshments for guests.

Dating back to 1886, Battersby’s was once synonymous with the highest quality hat production. Now, that legacy lives on through a carefully considered redevelopment that respects and preserves its industrial heritage while providing contemporary, energy-efficient homes.

The new development includes:

• 10 affordable rent homes
• 79 shared ownership homes
• 54 homes for market sale
• 1 market rent apartment (within the iconic Water Tower).

Delivered by Viaduct Housing Partnership in collaboration with Stockport Council, the £33 million project received vital support from Homes England (£2.3 million) and the Brownfield Grant Programme (£2 million).

Following the administration of the original contractor in 2023, delivery partners Three Sixty Ltd (new builds) and John Southworth Builders Ltd (mill refurbishments) were appointed to complete the site. The event marks the culmination of their hard work and determination. Final landscaping and road surfacing are due to be completed by Autumn 2025.

With input from the local community including pupils from Banks Lane Junior School who helped name the new streets and sustainable design features such as walking and cycling connections, the development supports Stockport’s carbon-neutral ambitions while meeting the growing demand for quality homes.

Rupert Battersby, Author and Descendant of the original Battersby family, said:

“The site is fantastic, the accommodation is inspired, and the whole thing is a credit to you all, and a real asset to the town. It was a great event and a fantastic result. I think the previous three generations would be incredibly pleased with the result.”

Tim Pinder, Director of Property at Stockport Homes Group, said:

“Stockport Homes Group is delighted to celebrate the completion of our significant regeneration and redevelopment of the historic Battersby Mill and former hat factory, along with the transformation of the adjacent land into 144 new homes.

This ambitious project blends a much-loved local landmark with high-quality, affordable housing to create a thriving new neighbourhood. It’s a £33 million investment that has taken six years to complete and will now provide safe, settled and secure homes for people in Stockport, at a time when around 9,000 households are on the Housing Register.

I’m proud this is the latest in a long line of developments that Stockport Homes Group has delivered and will continue to deliver to improve housing outcomes across the borough.”

Councillor Jake Austin, Cabinet Member for Housing & Environment, added:

“Battersby Hat Factory brings the redevelopment we’ve been seeing across Stockport to Offerton and is another brick in the foundation of our strategy to share this regeneration and success to every corner of Stockport.

There’s so much to appreciate about this development. From the work to bring back to life a real local landmark into use for the public, to the new active travel infrastructure that helps us reach our climate commitments as a council.

But most importantly, it strengthens and continues to deliver on our commitment to build affordable, high-quality housing to residents and families in the borough. By turning a former brownfield site into a thriving community, we are delivering on our promise to build the right homes in the right places.”

Alistair Chapman, Chair of Viaduct Housing Partnership, also praised the achievement, saying:

“I know how proud a day this is for the people of Stockport, The Viaduct Housing Partnership, John Southworth and Three Sixty Construction. The Battersby Hat Works is a fantastic scheme that preserves a series of buildings that are truly part of Stockport’s culture and heritage. As ever with conversions of historic buildings, they have their challenges and the way Stockport Council, Stockport Homes, John Southworth and Three Sixty Construction have come together to complete the scheme is commendable and I’d like to extend by thanks to all involved. I hope this will be one of many schemes that Viaduct Housing Partnership, John Southworth and Three Sixty Construction can delivery alongside the council.”