Rochdale Riverside retail and leisure centre to open in phases from late June

The opening of Rochdale’s new flagship retail and leisure centre will be staggered over several weeks.

Non-essential shops at Rochdale Riverside – including Next, River Island, Superdrug, and H&M will be opening in phases from 27 June.

The Marks and Spencer foodhall in the Riverside development has been open since 6 April, but from today (15 June) the clothing and home departments will also now be open.

The complex was due to open officially on 6 April but the launch was shelved after the country went into lockdown in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It boasts major high street names including M&S, Next and JD Sports, alongside a Reel Cinema, a Nando’s and Puttstars - a indoor mini-golf centre.

Eateries including Nando's, Heavenly Desserts, and Bean are expected to open from early July onwards – but the council says they are waiting for individual operators to confirm their opening dates.

 

 

Asked if the new Reel cinema could also open on 4 July – with only half the seats available for each screen to ensure social distancing, a council spokesman said: “We will be working with Reel to open safely in line with government guidelines once they are ready, which we hope to be in mid-July. We will announce the confirmed date closer to the time.”

Councillor John Blundell, cabinet member for business, skills and regeneration at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Rochdale Riverside is a vital part of the £400m regeneration of Rochdale town centre and we’re looking forward to welcoming shoppers to this first class development over the coming months.

“Riverside will be a fantastic facility for our residents and visitors, bringing major high street retailers and a strong leisure offer, which will complement the many wonderful businesses we already have in Rochdale, which includes a number of independents.

“Although things will be slightly different at the beginning, we’re working hard to ensure that visiting Rochdale will be a really good experience that people can enjoy safely.”

The project is a huge part of plans to revive the town centre, and has been delivered by the council together with private sector partners Gener8 and Kajima.

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter and Neal Keeling