Outsiders may first see Bramhall as an attractive village because of its rich ambience, Tudor manor house, green parkland, and diverse selection of hip businesses. The genuine character of Bramhall however, according to many who live and work there, is found in its residents.
The people of this Stockport neighbourhood credit the area’s strong feeling of community spirit for earning the distinction of being one of the friendliest places to live in the UK in 2016.
Bramhall recently won a spot on The Telegraph’s annual list of the 50 most coveted locations in Britain, further solidifying its status.
In a joint effort with Savills, the journal ranked towns according to a number of criteria, including the percentage of residents in managerial roles, educational achievement, general health, and housing affordability.
Despite the fact that many of the towns on the list were in the South of England, Bramhall and the nearby town of Cheadle Hulme both attained noteworthy rankings, with the latter exceeding expectations by landing at number 26, three places higher than its wealthier neighbour.
Residents commended Cheadle Hulme for its top-notch services, facilities, and access to transport.
Alejandra Solis, who previously had a thriving PR career, now finds herself chuckling as she reflects on establishing Bramhall Dog Groomers two years ago.
She told the Manchester Evening News: “I’m originally from Mexico, so if I’ve moved from there to be here it must be good.
“For me, Bramhall is perfect. It’s a lovely place and the community is amazing.
“It’s rural, but not too rural, so you have everything you need on your doorstep and you are only 25 minutes from Manchester or the countryside. It’s well connected, has a good airport and you can be in London within a couple of hours.”
She added: “People are really open to things and supportive of local businesses, everyone is aware the village has a really strong community where everyone mucks in.
“Tamara, our front-of-house is from Ukraine and fled the war, she lived with me for three months and then when she got her own place the whole village helped furnish it.”
Alejandra’s business, Bramhall Dog Groomers, is situated in Bramhall precinct, also known as the ‘Village Square,’ which is a hub of independent stores, food establishments, and various services like hair salons, opticians, and nail bars.
While she takes pride in being part of a vibrant community of businesses, she acknowledges that the current cost of living crisis and other factors have presented challenges.
Running an independent business during these times is undeniably tough. People are being cautious with their spending and carefully considering where they allocate their money.
However, Alejandra believes that with determination and a genuine demand for their offerings, businesses can thrive, especially with the supportive atmosphere within the community.
Earlier this year, Sainsbury’s Local, which had been located in the Village Square since 2013, relocated to a different premises on Woodford Road in Bramhall. Alejandra and other business owners in the square admit that they have felt the impact of Sainsbury’s departure but remain optimistic about the future.
Losing Sainsbury’s was undoubtedly a significant setback since it brought a steady flow of customers to the square throughout the day. Alejandra acknowledges the frustration of the space remaining vacant for an extended period, but she believes the landlords are making efforts, and it takes time for new businesses to fill the void.
Although people have been disappointed, Alejandra emphasizes the importance of inviting their own customers to visit their establishments, recognizing that the community is in a transitional phase.
Emily Mee, the owner of Em’s Easy Co, Bramhall’s refill shop, opened her store in the Village Square in 2020 with the aim of offering something new to the village. Emily said: “I’ve grown up here and know the area, but it’s also quite affluent and people still shop locally here.”
