Town Centre Management column

13th Century fun at Rochdale markets last month.

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Parking charges on council pay and display car parks in Rochdale town centre will not be going up in 2009, thanks to a decision made by Councillors at the Rochdale Township meeting.

This is excellent news for the town centre and will hopefully encourage people to continue to shop locally and support Rochdale’s traders in this difficult time. Contrary to popular belief, parking in Rochdale is relatively cheap in comparison with other towns and this should help improve our town centre footfall.

Jamilla Paul is the four-storey hair and beauty Beauty emporium situated on Nelson Street in Rochdale town centre. Jamilla Paul and her large team of employees have amassed plenty of experience and awards over the last ten years since the opening of the salon.

The impressive array of awards include ‘Best start up business of the year’, ‘Young entrepreneur of the year’ and ‘trendsetter of the year’. Jamilla, along with her fabulous team, have also worked all over the world teaching hairdressing seminars and doing shows and photographic shoots in places such as Paris, Vienna, Los Angeles and many more. 

Jamilla is also a regular hairdresser at London, Paris and New York fashion weeks, styling the hair of many of the world’s super models and working for the best designers.

With all of the expertise that Jamilla and her team have it’s quite unbelievable that they are on our doorstep here in the town centre.

The salon itself is comprised of extensive hair styling facilities, a well equipped beauty section ‘The Beauty Lounge’ (which is run by Stacy) and beautiful photography studio ‘The Picture Lounge’. The whole building has a very warm and welcoming atmosphere and the staff are as friendly as they are talented.

For more information contact the salon on 01706 644216.

A Recycle Roadshow will be taking place on Saturday 28 February, 10am – 4pm, in the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre. It is an opportunity for Rochdale Exchange shoppers to get a better insight as to how the centre is actively minimising its impact on the environment. There will be a free arts and crafts workshop for shoppers to make creatures to add onto the Rainforest vine, a free prize draw and giveaways. For more information visit www.rochdaleexchange.co.uk.

Rochdale Town Centre Management is committed to trying to help town centre businesses through the recession so should any of the public have a suggestion about how we or the Council can help to support them then please contact us as soon as possible to discuss and see how we could take it forward.

On a more positive note many town centre retailers have reported some gains on last year and footfall in general in the town has held its own in relation to other towns in the area.

The following events and services have been arranged by Rochdale Council after feedback from business and are ideal for all small (self employed welcome), medium sized, independent businesses operating in the Borough of Rochdale.

Top 40 marketing tips for the downturn
Monday 16 Feb
Rochdale Town Hall
6.15pm – 8.30pm
Making every penny count is so important during these challenging times, so knowing how to make the best of your marketing budget is vital. Packed full of no cost, low cost ideas and money saving tips, you’re bound to go away with at least one new way of marketing your business.

Let's talk business
Speed networking event
Monday 23 Feb
The Ratcliffe (Next to the Football Ground), Sandy Lane, Rochdale
6.15pm – 8.30pm
Networking is part of the “Bigger Picture” in relation to business promotion, in today’s challenging economic times. Effective networking by representing your business personally is a key factor when times are tough. Business Networking is when a group of like minded people gather and help each other either by doing business with each other or forming joint working relationships.

Starting your own business
Wednesday 11 February, 9.30am – 12.00noon, Rochdale Town Hall
Saturday 21 February, 9.30am – 12noon, Moss Lodge Hotel, Kingsway, Rochdale.
Starting your own business?
Going to work for yourself?
Free no-nonsense seminar tailored to meet your business needs.
If you are thinking of starting your own business and need some help and advice, this seminar will provide all the information you need know to get your business off the ground. Businesses that have commenced trading in the last 12 months are also eligible to attend.

Becoming self employed
Wednesday 18 February, 9.30am – 12noon, Rochdale Town Hall
Delivered jointly by Rochdale MBC and the Inland Revenue, this seminar is suitable for those who are about to be or who are newly self employed. The seminar will explain how to register to pay tax and National Insurance and what records need to be kept.

To book a place for any of these events, please contact Ian Aston or Frances Fielding on 01706 925110 / 01706 926700

The Rochdale Markets launched its brand new look by taking all their customers back in time to 1251, 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 were in 13th century attire and the public bore witness to fun and games, the likes of which had never been experienced before in Rochdale Markets. Rochdale’s Mayor and Mayoress, Robin Parker and Ann Jones joined in the fun by climbing into the stocks while the strolling minstrels filled the markets with medieval music.
The former Broadfield Hotel has now reopened as The Broadfield Park Hotel, under the Best Western Banner, following a £150,000 investment.

Tim Nuttall, Tourism Officer for Rochdale Council, said: “It’s a positive sign that people with an existing hotel business in Greater Manchester (they have two hotels in Altrincham) see Rochdale as a place to invest. With the purchase price plus the refurb it’s a £1M investment from them, a small regional company not a national or multinational chain.”