Town Centre Management column

Members gather at the First Ladies Only Ltd gym.

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Happy New Year to you all from Town Centre Management.

I know many of you were sorry to see Motorcise on Smith Street close its doors in September 2008. Members not only used the gym to help their physical fitness but also to socialise, and the average age of members was 55.

I would like to alert the hundreds of members that used Motorcise and its brilliant services to Ladies Only Ltd, the gym on St. Mary’s Gate. Ladies Only Ltd is a 30 minute workout designed for each individual member and therefore appeals to a large cross section of women. Although the workouts are different to those at Motorcise, members are not pushed beyond their capabilities and everyone can find a tailor made programme to suit them. Callisthenic exercises are included in the programme but they can be seated, kneeling, standing or lying down, depending on the needs and capabilities of the individual.

The gym is situated on the ground floor and therefore those with mobility problems need not worry.

After the workout is over, there is free tea and coffee for members and they can relax on leather suites in reception with a brew for as long as they like. In fact members often stay after their workouts for events such as bra-measuring services, jewellery sales, or the weekly nutrition sessions and weigh-ins, or to use the resident beauty and hair services available under the same roof.

Ladies Only Ltd is an independent business, owned by Michelle Evans. Michelle said: "People are more worried than ever about committing their finances to businesses when so many are failing to survive the recession. I offer a choice of memberships including a flexible monthly option, or we take credit cards if people prefer to make one safe lump sum payment. A free taster appointment with an instructor is available to anyone wondering if it is for them so they can try before they buy."

For more information phone 01706 666314.

A brand new shop has opened on Baillie Street ‘Number Ten’. They stock handmade and hand finished greetings cards, jewellery, artwork and woodwork. Many of their products are the work of local artists, which is something the owners are very passionate about.

Angela and Chris, who have both been in the teaching profession for many years, recently decided to make the move back up north due to family commitments and decided to follow their dream of opening the art shop.

They feel that they are bringing something completely new to Rochdale town centre, a sentiment that many customers have commented on already. For example, the cards all come from companies that don’t supply large chains. Many of the items in the shop are things that they have collected over the years, visiting art shows and little shops. The jewellery is very individual but also reasonably priced, making ’Number Ten’ a destination shop for a different gift.

The shop itself is beautifully fitted and Angela and Chris have big plans for the empty basement space, such as a café. Rochdale Town Centre Management would like to welcome this new independent retailer to the town centre and wish them the very best of success.

Thanks to the partnership between GMP, Rochdale Council, Town Centre Management and the town centre businesses, we have gained our first injunction against a prolific offender who plagued Rochdale Town Centre. This has meant that the offender in question can no longer enter the town centre or he will risk being sent to prison. This has been a real success for the Rochdale Business Crime Reduction Partnership and has helped to make Rochdale a safer place to visit. Our success has proved what a strong partnership we have and how your local businesses want to work together to make all your visits a pleasure.

We will continue to work together for your safety and will keep you posted with our various initiatives as we go through the year.

Rochdale Exchange began the New Year with a carrier bag amnesty. As part of their commitment to helping the environment, Rochdale Exchange encouraged all shoppers to swap their plastic carrier bags for a trendy Eco Chic reusable bag. Shoppers had to bring in 100 plastic bags in exchange for a bag for life. With two designs to choose from including the green and black Rochdale Exchange bag and the purple and orange Rochdale Markets lined bag, shoppers can look stylish knowing they are doing their bit for the environment.

Superdrug Manager, Craig Martin is exchanging 1,000 Superdrug plastic carrier bags for 10 Eco Chic reusable bags to give to selected customers. The Eco chic reusable bags will be on sale for £1.50 in the Markets Office and the Centre Management Office while stocks last.

The Rochdale Markets is launching its brand new look by going back to where it all began.

Although the Markets may look and feel modern with its newly designed logo and colour co-ordinated walls, the people, smells and atmosphere will be that of the 13th century.

On Saturday 31 January 2009 Rochdale Markets will be taking you back in time to 1215, the year that the charter was signed by King Henry III, to give the rights to hold fairs and markets within the Manor of Racchedal, (as it was then known).
The market traders will be in 13th century attire and the public will bear witness to fun and games, the likes of which have never been experienced before in Rochdale Markets. There will be free food tasting, and as bread was part of the staple diet in the middle ages, you can bet that will be one of the things on offer.

Over the years the face of Rochdale Markets has changed as shopping trends have altered, but what has not changed is the personal service that customers receive from the market traders and this is exactly what they want to show from the fun filled day, celebrating the new look Markets.