Underbank
{{Short description|Area of Stockport, Greater Manchester, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Underbank
| country = England
| region = North West England
| static_image_name = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Stockport Underbank 3438.JPG
| photo1b = Underbank Hall.JPG
| photo2a = Union Bank of Manchester - geograph.org.uk - 1610801.jpg
| photo2b = Stockport11 30 15 806000.jpeg
| photo3a = Three Shires - geograph.org.uk - 1507074.jpg
| photo3b = White Lion Hotel - geograph.org.uk - 1974737.jpg
| color = transparent|spacing=8|border=0
| size = 250
}}
| static_image_caption = Top from left: Little Underbank; Underbank Hall. Middle from left: Union Bank of Manchester; Great Underbank. Bottom from left: The Three Shires; White Lion Hotel.
| os_grid_reference = SJ8955090549
| map_type =
| map_alt =
| coordinates =
| label_position =
| post_town = Stockport
| postcode_area = SK
| postcode_district = SK1
| constituency_westminster = Stockport
| metropolitan_borough = Stockport
| metropolitan_county = Greater Manchester
| hide_services = yes
}}
The Underbank is an area of Stockport, Greater Manchester, England, containing the streets of Little Underbank and Great Underbank. Originally considered the finest shopping street in Stockport during the 19th century,{{cite web |url=https://www.rediscoveringtheunderbanks.co.uk/history-and-heritage/ |title=About the area |website=Rediscovering the Underbanks |date=17 June 2019 |access-date=20 July 2021}} the street was dubbed as Stockport's answer to Soho following an influx of independent businesses.{{cite news |last=Heward |first=Emily |date=29 June 2019 |title=It's the historic street that's been dubbed Stockport's Soho - so why is it so neglected? |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/stockport-little-underbank-shops-bars-16498781 |work=Manchester Evening News |access-date=20 July 2021}}
The Underbank began to be developed when the increased use of wheeled transport necessitated a practical route from the brow to the nearby Roman road, facilitating traffic to London for over 400 years. The rapid expansion of the town following the Industrial Revolution let to increased development from the late 18th century. By the 19th century, Little Underbank contained a prestigious shopping district, with over 30 shops of various trades such as hosiers, milliners and curriers.
Since 1974, the Underbank has been included in the Market Underbank Conservation Area. Following a £1.8 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2017, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council launched the 'Rediscovering the Underbanks' project, regenerating the area following neglect in favour of the nearby Merseyway Shopping Centre.{{cite news |last=Scapens |first=Alex |date=3 February 2017 |title=Grant of £1.8m will be used to regenerate neglected area of Stockport town centre |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/grant-18m-used-regenerate-neglected-12550233 |work=Manchester Evening News |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.stockport.gov.uk/rediscovering-the-underbanks |title=Rediscovering the Underbanks |website=Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council |access-date=20 July 2021}}
History
The area which would later house the Underbank was formed by the Hempshaw Brook cutting a valley along its southwestern side, eroding the natural red sandstone.{{cite journal |last1=Tindall |first1=Adrian |date=1985 |title=Stockport: The Development of the Town |url=http://www.gmau.manchester.ac.uk/pdfs/gmac8.pdf|journal=The Greater Manchester Archaeological Journal |volume=1 |issue= |pages=69–74 |isbn=0946126054 |access-date=}}
The Great Underbank and Little Underbank roads came about due to the proliferation of wheeled transport necessitating a practical route to the Roman road nearby the market.
The White Lion, then a coaching inn, would acquire its licence as early as the 14th century. The inn's proximity to the River Mersey led to the belief that visitors were permitted to fish for Salmon from the beer garden, and to use the inn's pew at the nearby St Mary's Church.{{cite news |last=Bainbridge |first=Katherine |date=22 December 2017 |title=The White Lion was once a coaching inn with space for 20 horses - now it's due to be turned into flats |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/white-lion-once-coaching-inn-14074360 |work=Manchester Evening News |access-date=20 July 2021}}
Underbank Hall was built in the late 15th century to serve as a town house for the Arderne family of Bredbury.{{Open Plaques|42696|accessdate=20 July 2021}} A similar town house was eventually known as The Three Shires was built in 1580 for the Leghs of Adlington.{{Open Plaques|43900|accessdate=20 July 2021}}
File:Little Underbank, Stockport 1906.jpg
The Industrial Revolution led to rapid expansion in the area. Brick buildings began to replace the earlier timber frame in the late 18th century, and by the 19th century Little Underbank would contain a prestigious shopping district. Jeweller Jacob Winter would move his premises to the Underbank from nearby Lower Hillgate. Winter's jewellers would become notable for its clock, and hydraulically operated security features.{{cite book |last=Westall |first=Roy |date=15 November 2009 |title=Stockport: A Pictorial History |publisher=Amberley Publishing |page=42 |isbn=978-1445631134}}
The Underbank began to suffer from neglect, with traders complaining that the area was neglected in favour of Merseyway Shopping Centre, which opened in 1965.{{cite web |url=https://www.merseyway.com/about/ |title=About Us |website=Merseyway Shopping Centre |access-date=21 July 2021 |quote=Merseyway was one of the first shopping centres to open in 1965 and was refurbished in 1995.}} Other complaints included the lack of street lighting, lack of parking spaces and its untidy state. The area would become part of the newly designated Market Underbank Conservation Area in 1974.
In 2017, a grant of £1.8 million was secured through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, allowing Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and the Stockport Heritage Trust to pursue the 'Rediscovering the Underbanks' project, aimed at breathing new life into the area. The streets cobbles were repaired, and buildings in the area were restored and refurbished. The area would also see an influx of independent businesses, leading the area to be coined as 'Stockport's Soho'.
Landmarks
{{See also|Listed buildings in Stockport}}
The Underbank contains many historic listed buildings, such as the remnants of the medieval town wall, the Tudor Underbank Hall and the Three Shires Hall, and several Victorian buildings.
In popular culture
The Underbank was used as a filming location for the 2019 BBC sitcom Scarborough, for the Geraldine's of Scarborough hair salon.{{cite news |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Katie |date=25 April 2019 |title=Catherine Tyldesley films new comedy Scarborough in Stockport |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/catherine-tyldesley-films-new-comedy-16181456 |work=Manchester Evening News |access-date=21 July 2021}}
The 2020 Netflix thriller ''The Stranger also featured the Underbank.{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Helen |date=26 February 2020 |title=The historic street dubbed 'Stockport's Soho' is getting a major facelift |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/historic-street-dubbed-stockports-soho-17816499 |work=Manchester Evening News |access-date=21 July 2021}}