Council criticised by owner of new town centre business

Marnie Kennedy, owner of the newly opened Marnie’s Hair Lounge in Rochdale town centre, has hit out at Rochdale Council for giving what she says is a misleading impression that she has received council help to start her business.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/1/business-news/112068/marnie%E2%80%99s-hair-lounge-opens-in-rochdale-town-centre

The Council is offering 'start-up grants of up to £5,000' to 'new independent retailers opening in selected empty units' in Rochdale town centre.

However, Marnie said: "I have not received any help, financial or otherwise, from the Council to set up my business."

Marnie added that comments attributed to her in a council press release had not been written by her and she had asked the Council communications team, prior to publication, to remove them.

A spokesperson for the Council said: "We refute any suggestion we have misrepresented her.

"We would also encourage her to contact us directly if she would like to clarify any matters relating to the support her business has received from the council."

Asked if a grant had been paid and if so to whom, he said: "The money was paid to the building owner."

The building owner is Millerbrook Properties, a Manchester-based company which acquires and develops land and property.

Millerbrook also owns the recently re-opened Wellington Hotel building on the corner of Drake Street and Smith Street and the unit next door to Marnie’s hairdressers on Smith Street, which is set to open as another new shop before the end of the year, with plans for residential units above the shops.

There is no suggestion that Millerbrook should not have received the grants, the Council scheme clearly states applications can be from an owner or tenant, and in fact Millerbrook director Richard Ward previously said "both of our new businesses benefitted from the shop renovation grant" and went on to explain "once we have renovated these two final units, that will be a total of £2m spent on these historic properties".

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/1/business-news/112162/-21-new-town-centre-businesses-open

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