Spotlight on Stalybridge

WHERE:
Lying in the foothills of the Pennines, spectacular views and walks are practically on your doorstep.
To the east, Manchester city centre is within commuting distance. The Huddersfield Narrow Canal winds through the town and Stalybridge Country Park is good for walking and hiking. Cheethams Park is home to the Eastwood nature reserve.

WHY:
A former nineteenth century industrial town, Stalybridge is now in the midst of a multi-million pound refurbishment programme. The canal, which was once filled in and made into a car park, has been totally restored with new cafes along the banks and boat trips running.
Stalybridge has become known locally as "StalyVegas" because of the bars, nightclubs and restaurants that are thriving in the town.
Large developers such as Redrow have seen the area's potential and are moving in to create new estates, luxury homes and contemporary apartments.

WHO:
Top of the market properties in the Mottram Road area for £400,000 juxtapose with mid-terraces for first-time buyers and a number of newly built detached homes. Families with young children are attracted by the excellent schools in the area. Developers hope city workers and young couples will be attracted by the luxury apartments and loft conversions.

TRANSPORT:
There are regular trains to Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly with a journey time of 15 minutes.
There are also direct trains to Leeds. Junction 23 of the M60 is less that 10 minutes drive through Ashton-under-Lyne and there's easy access to the M67.

AGENT'S VIEW:
"Stalybridge is a very sought-after area at the moment. Properties are sold before the boards even go up - buyers are making an offer for the asking price the same day they go on the market and houses are easily sold in a week," says Maria Strange from W.C Dawson & Son.

"Demand is outstripping supply, especially in Mottram, which is really catching people's imagination. Properties there are bigger and more expensive but more and more people can afford them with the market as it is now.

"A lot people are looking for four-bedroom detached houses at the moment and they go for anything from £160,000 upwards. One which needed a lot of work on it sold for £145,000 recently.

"First-time buyers earn more money now and are able to afford the £70,000 you probably need to get on the property ladder in Stalybridge."

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