Rochdale BID and GMP provide reassuring presence in town centre with pop-up surgery

Photo: Rochdale Online

Paul Ambrose, BID Manager, and PCSO Nick McNeill

A pop-up surgery from the Rochdale Business Improvement District (BID) was held in partnership with Greater Manchester Police on Thursday (25 July).

Members of the BID team and officers from GMP were on hand on Yorkshire Street throughout the day to provide a reassuring presence in the centre whilst helping to deter crime and anti-social behaviour, responding to concerns raised by local businesses.

The surgeries, which are hoped to take place each month, are an accessible way for both businesses and the public to approach GMP and Rochdale BID with any concerns they may have, to make the town centre a more attractive and welcoming area for all.

Paul Ambrose, Rochdale BID Manager, said: “The Bid team works closely with the neighbourhood policing team, to ensure Rochdale remains a safe and welcoming place in which to live, work or visit. With the flexibility of the pop-up surgeries, we can literally set up anywhere in the town and be in the right place at the right time.

“We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with GMP and deliver more surgeries throughout the year.”

PCSO Nick McNeill added: “Greater Manchester Police is delighted to support the Rochdale BID in this initiative to improve visitors’ experiences in Rochdale.”

Launched in April 2019, the BID represents 200 businesses in Rochdale town centre and was formed following a vote in November 2018, whereby 75.96% of votes were in favour of the BID by total number of businesses, and 87.76% of votes were in favour of the BID by rateable value, with a 52.5% turnout.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/127446/rochdale-business-improvement-district-launched

Businesses with a rateable value of £12,000 or above pay an annual levy of 1.75% of their business rates, creating a collective fund to spend on projects to improve the local trading environment through the provision of added value services over the next five years.