Arresting opportunity for start-up businesses

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Start-up businesses looking for new premises could be tempted by the offer of workspaces that boast all mod cons, including their own police cells and courtroom!  

The former Heywood police station and court are being converted into state-of-the-art workspaces and Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) has pledged to maintain the heritage of the building.

The former Hind Hill Street station is being given a new lease of life by RDA in partnership with New Heart for Heywood and Heywood Township, after Greater Manchester Police moved to new premises in Queen’s Park Road in 2004. The impressive courtroom will be used for business conferences, meetings and exhibitions and the original cell doors complete with locks and viewing grill are next to the new reception area.

Construction work being managed by Pennine Land – the development wing of RDA - is expected to be completed by mid summer, when 29 businesses will have the opportunity to lease space.

Vicki Devonport, Chief Executive of New Heart for Heywood, said: “It is fantastic to see this important historical building preserved in such a sensitive way.  It will bring job opportunities to the town and offer superb accommodation for businesses looking to get off the ground.”

John Hudson, Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency urged interested businesses to register their interest. He added: “The former police station is in an attractive location and we are converting the neo-classical building to the highest standards with a few unique features that will really set it apart! Offering support to businesses when they are starting out is a key role of the RDA; we want to see them and Heywood prosper.”

The building which dates back to 1935 had some fame last year, before the renovation started, when it featured on popular TV drama Waterloo Road.  A scene involving a school pupil in trouble with the police was filmed there.

North Manchester Enterprise Group has recently been appointed to manage the workspace. They will provide a full on-site management service including reception, telephone answering service and secretarial facilities.

Heywood Councillor Colin Lambert said: “It is great to see a Heywood building put to good future employment use. I look forward to seeing quality jobs created.”

Councillor Mohammad Sharif, Lead member for regeneration at Rochdale Council, added: “It is encouraging to see new work space created for local fledgling businesses that will allow them to prosper and grow in Heywood. It also means a historic building is being sensitively preserved.”