Work begins on ‘state of the art’ £20m Marple community hub

A new chapter has begun for Marple, as work officially starts on the long-awaited Community Hub: a landmark £20m project that promises to transform local lives and reimagine the town’s future.

In a proud moment for the community, local leaders, partners, and residents gathered in Marple Memorial Park on Friday 26th April to break ground on the site where the new centre will rise, a place designed to bring people together, support healthier living, and restore vital services to the heart of the town.

The new hub will open in 2026.

Marple Community Hub

Funded in part by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, the new hub will include a modern library, a five-lane swimming pool, a 60-station gym, a café, and a new home for Marple Clinic — all designed to support active, healthy lifestyles and provide a much-needed boost to local services.

Cllr Mark Roberts, Deputy Leader of Stockport Council, said: “This is a major milestone for Marple — a project driven by local voices and delivered in partnership to meet the needs of residents now and for the future.

“The hub is a landmark investment in the future of our borough – it’s about more than just bricks and mortar.

“It’s about creating a vibrant, inclusive space that brings people together, supports healthier lifestyles, and strengthens our local economy.”

How will the Marple Community Hub be funded?

The project is partly funded by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, but it’s shaped by something far more powerful: local voices.

Councillor Helen Foster-Grime, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said the project reflects “years of determination, partnership and pride.”

She added: “The new hub brings together health, leisure and community under one roof, and it’s going to make a real difference to people of all ages.

“It’s a much-needed project and a really great example of the kind of place-based investment we’ve been championing across our borough for many years. I’m so proud of all the teams involved in making this happen!”

It’s a vision echoed by those helping to build it. Main contractor Willmott Dixon has already embedded itself in the community, creating employment opportunities and delivering skills programmes — including working with HMP Styal, offering training to people rebuilding their lives.

Darren Palmer, director for Willmott Dixon in the North, said: “We share Stockport Council’s passion for ensuring this vibrant and innovative community hub creates opportunities for the people of Marple.

“In recently delivering Stockport Interchange and Viaduct Park, our team worked alongside incredible local organisations such as PURE College and we proud to be doing so again.

“To date on the project, we’ve created six new employment opportunities including for local people from barriered backgrounds. We’ve supported 47 apprentice weeks and delivered a bespoke skills and training ‘Building Lives Academy’ programme alongside HMP Styal resulting in two employment opportunities.

“We are also running our monthly free after-school Construction Club for children at All Saints Primary School and we have delivered 11 careers in construction sessions with local school and college students.”

Sport England on Marple Community Hub

Sport England, one of the project’s key funding partners, sees Marple’s hub as a blueprint for healthier towns.

“There really will be something for everyone — no matter who they are or where they live,” said Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director of Place at Sport England. “This is about giving people more chances to move, connect, and thrive.”

When finished, the hub will blend sustainable design with thoughtful features — including safe walking and cycling access, connections to the Memorial Park and canal, and spaces built to be truly inclusive.

Once complete, the Marple Community Hub will feature sustainable design, enhanced access for walking and cycling, and inclusive spaces to support wellbeing, community connection, and civic pride.

You can find out more about Marple Community Hub by clicking here