Weir Mill, the long‑anticipated waterside neighbourhood beneath Stockport Viaduct, is set to add a European‑style wine bar to its growing food and drink scene. Bodega, an independent operator, plans to open this summer offering relaxed, design‑led hospitality that its founders say moves away from formal wine culture.
What Bodega will offer
The new bar will serve a range of wines by the glass — from everyday sips to special bottles — alongside natural and low‑intervention wines, cold lager on tap, charcuterie and sharing plates. There will also be a small retail element so customers can buy bottles to take home.
- Wines by the glass (including natural and low‑intervention options)
- Cold lager on tap
- Charcuterie and sharing plates
- Retail selection of bottles to buy
- ‘Cellar Club’ – membership storage for customers' own bottles
The Cellar Club: a different way to drink out
Perhaps the most talked‑about feature is Bodega’s Cellar Club. For a modest monthly membership fee, members can store their own bottles in a dedicated wine vault and have them served by the glass in the bar for a small corkage charge. The founders say this model allows people to control their spend while enjoying the atmosphere of a lively wine bar.
“We live in a country where a pint of lager is touching £7 now and a large glass of wine is £15‑plus, so we need to find creative ways of making it more cost‑effective for people to eat and drink out,” said Tom Wilmot, co‑founder of Bodega.
Local reaction and context
Stockport Council has welcomed the arrival of Bodega as a sign of confidence from independent operators in the town centre. Cllr Micheala Meikle, cabinet member for economy, regeneration and skills, said the bar will add character to the Weir Mill neighbourhood and provide a welcoming waterside space for people to spend time.
Weir Mill forms part of a wider push to bring new restaurants, cafés and community spaces under the viaduct. Bodega’s founders say they are aiming to capture the relaxed, social atmosphere found in small wine bars across Europe — a contrast to more formal wine environments.
| Feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Opening timeframe | This summer |
| Location | Weir Mill, under Stockport Viaduct |
| Key offer | Wines by the glass, Cellar Club, small plates, retail |
For local residents, the Cellar Club could change how people approach nights out: bringing your own bottles to store may make nights at a bar more affordable for groups and regulars, while keeping the convenience of being served in a social setting. The model also gives smaller or less typical bottles a chance to be enjoyed in a lively neighbourhood environment rather than tucked away at home.
As Weir Mill continues to fill out with independent businesses, Bodega is the latest to place a bet on Stockport’s town‑centre revival. The combination of a waterside setting, a European‑inspired approach to wine and a membership service is intended to create a neighbourhood hub for after‑work drinks, weekend catch‑ups and evening events. More details, including exact opening dates and membership costs, are expected from the operator as the summer launch approaches.
