Second Portas Pilot bid

An artist impression of the Hive

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Rochdale has submitted a second bid to become a Portas Pilot Town.

Following failure in the first round, Debbie O’Brien, Town Centre Manager and head of the bid team, said: “This is just the first round of announcements. 15 more towns will be announced later this summer so we’re still very much in the running.”

The big idea at the heart of the Portas bid to revitalise Rochdale town centre continues to be a portable entertainment station named The Hive - 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.

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk believes the bid is a good one, he posted on Twitter: "Just seen the submission from Rochdale Council for second round of Portas Pilots. Great video, really strong bid."

The second round bidding has now closed.

Rochdale hopes to be one of the 15 centres to be chosen in England for up to £100,000 in government funds. The round 2 winners will be announced by the end of July 2012.