The South Manchester area is a wide and diverse area encompassing the footballer belt of Hale & Bowdon through the Cheshire area which has the very popular Hale Village. As well as the Manchester ship canal which services Sale town centre where the South Manchester branch of Northwood is based. This canal runs right the way through to Manchester city centre and incorporating Stretford and Old Trafford where the home of Manchester United football club is. The South Manchester Branch also covers the up and coming area of Chorlton and Didsbury which is fashionable with the young professionals with its bars and restaurants. Stockport and its surrounding areas of Reddish, Offerton, Cheadle, Heaton Mersey, Hazel Grove are all leafy suburbs of Stockport and Cheshire in their own right but situated with great commuter links into Manchester City Centre.