One of Rochdale’s oldest family businesses to move after almost 60 years

Denis Hope

One of Rochdale’s oldest family businesses is set to move after almost 60 years of trading.

In September, menswear store Denis Hope will relocate to Norden, three doors away from its womens wear store, ‘Hope,’ which has thrived since moving there three years ago.

The new store – a similar size to the Drake Street store – will open in time for the new range of clothes for the autumn/winter season.

Denis Hope opened on Drake Street in 1959, embarking on a journey to bring new European labels to the North West and was amongst the first to introduce the likes of Henry Lloyd, Lacoste, Sand, Canali and Aquascutum to the fashion-conscious of the North West. 

Manager Oliver Hope, whose grandad opened the store 59 years ago, said: “The opportunity came for us to move closer to our store in Norden, which has thrived since we have moved out of town. We are looking forward to our move, as this is a chance to reach new customers who don’t want to travel into Rochdale.  

“It is a shame, because we have been here since 1959, and there is a lot of history here. My grandad bought the dentist’s next door to expand the shop, and later bought the weaver’s cottages at the back to extend even further. In that time, we have served so many generations of customers and it will be sad to go.

“We have seen a few changes in that time, both good and bad. The tram on Drake Street was the final nail in the coffin, and a few independent businesses on the street have left, leaving their businesses boarded up.

“The council is focusing its efforts on the new shopping centre, which I do understand, but they should want to keep their older businesses too. They are confident things will change, but they are five years behind the times.

“We are probably one of the very few businesses to attract a different clientele into Rochdale, but we don’t feel like we have been looked after.

“It has been a constant battle to survive and we are very sad to be leaving, although we are very confident our future will continue to be bright in Norden.”