14th September 2025
Image: Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, Image Archive, ID 53117
When the hour strikes in Stockport’s historic Underbanks, a familiar figure returns to remind us that time — and tradition — still matter. The iconic Winter’s Clock, perched above the shopfronts on Little Underbank, completed a labour of love restoration in 2021 and once again graces the streets with its animated chimes.
A Clock with Character
Installed originally by Jacob Winter, a jeweller and clockmaker who moved north from London in the late 19th century, the clock is no ordinary timepiece. Made by Sainsbury Brothers of Walthamstow, the mechanism is mechanical — rare for clocks in today’s digital age. What makes Winter’s Clock truly memorable are the three figures that animate each hour: a soldier, a sailor, and Old Father Time. Atlas Obscura+3Stockport Council+3Marketing Stockport+3
These figures, mounted beside the two clock faces, strike with bell and arm at each hour — a little theatre above the bustle of Stockport’s streets. Over decades, weather and wear had dulled both clock and automaton, making the recent restoration all the more welcome. Talking About My Generation+1
Restoration and Renewal
Between March and mid-2021, specialists from The Cumbria Clock Company undertook a careful restoration. The clock mechanism was dismantled, cleaned, repaired off-site, then reinstalled; the animated figures (soldier, sailor, Father Time) were refurbished in their original colours — restoring not just function, but pride and spirit. Marketing Stockport+1
Funding came via a combination of local-authority heritage programmes, support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and community interest. The building once housed Winter’s jewellers, sits as both custodian and beneficiary of this pride in local heritage. Marketing Stockport+1
What It Means for Romiley and Stockport
In an era when many local landmarks quietly decay, Winter’s Clock stands as a beacon of how restoration, investment, and community engagement can bring history back to life. For residents and visitors alike, the clock is a marker of identity: a reminder of Stockport’s craftsmanship, its architectural richness, and its enduring stories.
