VIDEO: Idea at the heart of Rochdale’s Portas bid revealed

An artist impression of the Hive

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The big idea at the heart of the Portas bid to revitalise Rochdale town centre has been revealed.

The Portas Pioneers team have submitted their proposal which centres on creating a portable entertainment station named The Hive.

The Hive will feature up to eight interactive and learning pods along with an outdoor auditorium including a stage and seating area for community use and a piece of public art.

Each pod will be themed to include food and drink, art, music, technology, environment and entertainment. The Hive will be portable and flexible in responding to public interests.

The auditorium will provide a small stage for performing arts including music, singing, dancing, poetry readings, live art classes and will be accessible to all members of the community, young and old to offer something new and different for the town.

Pam Smith, Executive Director at Rochdale Borough Council, said: "We've had an overwhelming response from our communities supporting the bid.

“I'm so proud of what we've achieved by working together and want to say a big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to get involved.

“We have a strong and ambitious bid which I believe has a real chance of winning - so much so that the council will seek to match any money we win."

Paul Turner Mitchell, Chairman of the High Street Foundation, said: "The Hive will be a space at the heart of Rochdale where everyone can come and enjoy what's happening, take part in activities and really feel that they belong.

"It will create a lively and vibrant hub giving people more reasons to come to the town centre and spend more time here. I'm really excited by our bid and the chance it offers to start transforming our shopping areas into community spaces."

The Portas Pilot competition was launched following publication of Mary Portas’ High Streets Review commissioned by the Prime Minister and published before Christmas.

The 12 successful towns are expected to be announced in May.