The area of Tameside where house prices are skyrocketing

On the edge of Greater Manchester sits a village where millionaires and celebrities blend in amongst a tight-knit community. Gee Cross is regarded as the ‘posh bit of Hyde’. Considering the array of cafes, bakeries, pubs and shops on the doorstep of the huge Werneth Low Country Park, it’s clear why house prices are soaring locally.

According to recent data, house prices have shot up by 7.3 per cent in the SK14 postcode area – the highest across all of Tameside.

The average cost of a home is now £235,409 – up by £15,951 from two years ago. For locals, it’s obvious why more people are wanting to live in Gee Cross.

“I’ve always lived here, it’s a very good community and that’s the main USP,” according to Margaret Hallas. “We’ve got a great community centre, the chapel does a lot for the elderly.

“We have a lot of coffee mornings and things going on for the community. I’m not sure how we’ve managed to keep that community spirit so alive.

“You don’t have to leave the village, there is a bowling club behind the Grapes pub for example. There always seems to be something going on, we’ve got a brass band playing on the weekend and it was the carnival the other weekend.

“There’s lots of old people living here, and they’ve been here all their lives for a reason.

“I’d say it was similar to Didsbury in Manchester because we’ve got the cafes, bars, pubs and the friendly feel.”

Margaret Hallas, who used to run the grocers in Gee Cross. Credit: LDRS

Margaret, who used to run the local grocers with her husband Keith before they retired 22 years ago, says there is a concern about the planned 440 homes. She worries it will ‘spoil’ the area.

The 84-year-old added that a number of shops have gone from the village, including a couple of pubs and the Post Office – the Tesco Express has become ‘a lifeline’. Despite this, she said locals often mix with celebrities and millionaires who have settled in the area.

Margaret added: “We’ve got Ricky Hatton the boxer; Ron Hill the marathon runner lived here until he died a few years ago; and there is Tom Cassell the Youtuber who also goes by the name Syndicate.

“We see them from time to time in the village.”

Waving goodbye to Margaret and strolling down Stockport Road, it was clear the pensioner knew what she was talking about, as Tom Cassell stepped out of The Village Bakery & Sandwich Shop.

The 32-year-old has millions of subscribers on his YouTube channel – Life of Tom. First person to reach one million followers on Twitch, a platform where he would stream whilst playing video games under the name Syndicate.

Tom Cassell, who is born and bred in Gee Cross, Hyde. Credit: LDRS

After taking a picture with a fan who spotted him leaving with lunch in-hand, he spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service about his life in the village. Much like Margaret, the plan for 440 homes off Apethorn Lane – just down the road – wasn’t far from his mind either.

“I was born and raised around here and I absolutely love it,” Tom said. “But I do think it’s going to be hell on earth when the new houses come.

“With over 400 new homes, that’s going to be about 800 more cars. Just from a traffic perspective, if the roads were the perfect size and the schools and everything weren’t oversubscribed, I’d be all for it as the plans look great in certain sections.

“I just don’t think we’re going to be able to handle it at all.

“Gee Cross is the absolute best though, if you look at the history of the area you’ve got all sorts. It’s mint, we’ve got the local fetes we put on, the community and the local pubs we’ve got.

“It’s had a new lease of life with people coming in and setting up businesses here because why would you go to the city centre when there are so many people here now.

“We’ve got The Village bakery, it’s the best bakery on earth. I come here every Tuesday and Thursday.

“Sarah, who owns the bakery, is lovely and she is smashing it now. Everything seems to be a success here at the moment.
“We’re 20 minutes from the airport, we’re 20 minutes from the train station, 20 minutes from the Trafford Centre and then you have an amazing view on the doorstep.”

Tom now owns a 110 acre farm and has been advised by Caleb Cooper, who gained fame on the hit Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm, on how best to grow pumpkins. He even spoke about bumping into Ricky Hatton in the gym earlier that morning.

Before getting back to his new farming life, he waved to Darrell Clarke across the street. The joyful interaction between the pair truly showcases the community friendly feeling going on in Gee Cross.

Stood outside The Dining Room Bistro and Deli with his Manchester Terriers Frankie and Eric, 70-year-old Darrell told the LDRS: “I’ve been here for 30 years. We’ve got Werneth Low country park, so if you’ve got dogs it’s ideal.

Darrell Clarke, who has lived in Gee Cross for over 30 years. Credit: LDRS

“It’s a lovely area. But we used to have more than this – we used to have the post office and that’s gone like a few pubs.

“It used to have a bit of crime a few years back as well, all to do with drugs in Marple and Romiley and it filtered into here.

“That seems to have gotten better in recent years, which could be the thing bringing people in.

“We’ve got a lot of money around here. Ricky Hatton lives down the road, he’s always out and about.

“This is the posh bit of Hyde definitely, million pound houses etc. We have a lot of bars and cafes popping up here and there, which is a positive sign.

“We have a few boy racers around but that’s all you have to deal with really.”

Going back down Stockport Road, along the main strip of bars and shops opposite Hyde Chapel, Matthew McHugh takes time out from his lunchtime dog walk with Rollo to explain why he has just moved to the area. He isn’t shocked about the rise in house prices locally.

Rollo the with owner Matt McHugh. Credit: LDRS

“About three or four years ago I bought on King George Road. I did some research at the time and I think mine was the most expensive house on that street for just over £200k. Some were going for £190k not too long before when I bought and my valuation has gone up by £7,000 already.

“It’s close to the Peak district, which is why I love it. I used to live in Romiley but that was too pricey for me.

“This is a lovely area though. Got lots of places along the high street and pubs.”

He jokes that the atmosphere in the area is much different from Widnes, where he grew up. But he hopes to move to Romiley or Marple Bridge in the future to be closer to where his family now live.

Stopping across from The Grapes pub on the corner where Wych Fold and Joel Lane meet Stockport Road, Rachel explained why she is making Gee Cross her forever home.

“There are a lot of amenities with shops, a pharmacy, cafes, takeaways and pubs. The nearest station would be Woodley, which is a bit of a walk away.

“That’s the only issue for transport but you can get a bus very easily.

“It’s a friendly atmosphere around here and if you’re in a real emergency you can call on your neighbour for help.

“I’ve been here for 10 years and I like the fact you can get to the countryside quickly. I’m just five minutes from Werneth Low.

“We’ve got a bit of everything. It has that old school sense of belonging and lots of people have lived here most of their lives.

“It doesn’t shock me that more people are wanting to live here, it’s a vote of confidence for the area. My son went to Manchester Grammar and there was a bus right there from around here so there is quick access to good schools as well.

“I think I’ll be here forever now, I’ll stay as long as I can unless there is some form of emergency to get me to move.

“There is nothing else like Gee Cross, it’s not similar to anywhere else.”