Stockport is undergoing an enormous transformation with £1billion being injected into the town - but it may not look like much has changed yet. During a quick walk around the town centre on Thursday lunchtime, I counted a total of 13 boarded up shops.
On the surface, it can look bleak in some parts, as there are empty units lying around the town calling out for a new lease of life. Some days it's very quiet, and even the town's favourite lunch spot - Ate Days A Week - moved from its Vernon Street premises, earlier this year, to Manchester city centre for more custom.
There is a lot of talk about the Old Town and Underbanks, and rightly so, with its £7million investment programme to regenerate the area back to its former glory. A collection of vibrant independents has set up shop there, drawing in visitors.
