Stockport station unveils new artwork celebrating town’s music scene
Avanti West Coast unveils artwork at Stockport station celebrating town's rich music heritage.
- Avanti West Coast unveils artwork celebrating Stockport’s rich music heritage
- Created and designed by local artists to tell story of music scene
- Community art project creates vibrant gateway at Stockport station
A new installation has been unveiled at Stockport station as part of a local art project celebrating the area’s rich music heritage.
Displayed in the station’s underpass, the series of 44 artworks depicts the musicians that have performed, lived or recorded in Stockport through the years – from The Beatles to Blossoms.
Designed to capture key moments in the town’s history and be a cultural attraction, the largescale artwork was the idea of both Crewe to Manchester and South East Manchester Community Rail Partnerships (CRP).
It was created by Seven Miles Out Arts - a Stockport-based community arts hub – in collaboration with six local artists.
Telling the community’s forgotten history and its importance to the music industry, each piece features a QR code that shares the story behind the artist’s connection to the town from the 1960s to the present day.
Stockport has a significant musical heritage – it was home to Strawberry Studios, where many famous artists, including Joy Division, The Smiths, and Paul McCartney recorded.
Avanti West Coast, who manage Stockport station, supported the installation with its Community Rail Project Fund – a scheme that helps CRPs local to its route deliver initiatives that engage communities with their railway.
The artwork is the latest addition to the station in recognition of the town’s musical history. Last year a plaque commemorating the night David Bowie slept at Stockport station was unveiled 55 years after his impromptu stop at the station.
Lisa Musgrave, Avanti West Coast Station Manager at Stockport, said: “This artwork brightens up the station’s underpass and creates a vibrant gateway for everyone arriving at Stockport by rail. It’s a great addition to the station, which is already considered a cultural landmark, and captures the stories of those who have worked, visited or performed in the area.
“We’re pleased to have supported the community and local artists to celebrate the town’s rich musical heritage. With its unique perspective, we hope the artwork will help people to discover something new and encourage them to explore more of Stockport’s music scene.”
Crewe to Manchester and South East Manchester CRP Community Rail Officer, Gillian Renshaw, said: “With the Brit and MOBO Awards recently held in Manchester for the first time, this feels like a significant and timely project that really captures the heritage of Stockport and its significance within the music industry. Community rail is all about inclusion and connecting people to their railway. From The Beatles to Bowie and Blossoms, this is a true celebration of those sung and unsung heroes that played a key part in the area.”
John Barratt, Director of Seven Miles Out Arts, said: “As a proud resident of Stockport, this project means so much to me and the artists involved in bringing all this to life. Stockport’s music scene is just one aspect that makes this town great and we’re so grateful to Avanti West Coast and the Community Rail Partnership who have made this vision a reality.”
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Main image: Artwork created as part of a community project to celebrate musicians who have performed, lived and recorded in Stockport has been unveiled at the Avanti West Coast station.
About Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast, operator of intercity rail services on the West Coast Main Line, is a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, delivering a cleaner, greener railway that drives the West Coast forward. Avanti West Coast serves key UK cities, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow as well as North Wales.
We’re on a mission to be the transport of choice – connecting customers and communities along the West Coast. Our award-winning Pendolino refurbishment programme transformed the UK’s hardest working fleet with all 56 of the iconic trains providing best-in-class comfort.
Our Evero fleet, which offers more seats, improved comfort, and a substantial cut to carbon emissions, was introduced in June 2024 and is the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel. Built by Hitachi, the 23-strong fleet, consisting of 10 seven-carriage electric trains and 13 five-carriage bi-modes, serves routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West.
We want to make a positive difference to the people and places we serve – helping to drive economic growth, green travel, and break down barriers. Our efforts to contribute to society and enable people to benefit from the opportunities rail offers through purpose-led initiatives including Feel Good Field Trips and award-winning female driver recruitment campaign has seen us create over £1billion in social value impact.
We’re tackling climate change wherever we can, from reducing energy and water use to training drivers in eco-driving techniques and sourcing food and drink from local suppliers. Our goal is to be net zero carbon by 2031. We’re on track.
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