Stockport Council has approved a new funding plan for the One Stockport Construction Hub, which will introduce a new levy on construction projects starting from 18 April 2026. This change is designed to move the hub away from relying on short-term grants and toward a more predictable income stream to support its ongoing work.
The Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration & Skills approved the model, which applies a scaled levy to the value of construction-related contracts. The charges are set at 0.5% for the first £5 million, with lower percentages applied to higher contract values up to £25 million. Early estimates suggest this system will generate approximately £230,000 for the 2026/27 period.
Launched on 28 January 2026, the hub is a partnership between the council, the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation, Trafford College Group, and various construction employers. Its primary goal is to help local residents find work within the town’s £1 billion regeneration programme, which includes major developments such as the Stockport 8 project.
The funding will support the hub’s four main activities: a brokerage service connecting people to jobs, traineeship programmes, educational support, and training for green construction skills. STAR Procurement, which manages contract bidding for the council, has confirmed it will incorporate these new levy requirements and social value goals directly into project documentation for local businesses.
The hub has already tested this approach at the Cheadle Eco Park, which is now being used as a model for future contracts. The project is overseen by a steering group including representatives from local government, the Construction Industry Training Board, and the Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub.
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