New business development kick-starts Rochdale canal regeneration

Councillor Mohammad Sharif, John Hudson, Chief Executive of RDA and Andy Prideaux, Operations Director of Pennine Land at Lock 50 of the Rochdale canal near the new business development

Construction is underway on a new canal side business development in Rochdale called Lock 50 that will offer 12,000sq ft of office space.

Rochdale Development Agency’s (RDA) development arm, Pennine Land, is managing the three storey project on a site of vacant land at the junction of Oldham Road and Crawford Street.

The business centre, which is aimed at ‘next stage’ companies that have grown from a start-up size, is situated next to Lock 50 of the Rochdale Canal.

Andy Prideaux, Operations Director of Pennine Land, urged interested businesses to get in touch.  He said: “The development will be based in a location with fantastic transport links, close to Rochdale station where the Metrolink fast tram system from the town to Manchester city centre will be positioned in a few years’ time, as well as the M60 and M62. It is in a scenic area earmarked for significant redevelopment as part of Rochdale Development Agency’s plans to transform the canal basin.”

RDA established Pennine Land as a property development company to enable more regeneration in the borough.  It is particularly active in areas where the public sector either owns land or is making a significant investment.

This move means that profits generated by Pennine Land are fed back into RDA, a not-for-profit organisation, to further benefit the borough and its ongoing transformation.

John Hudson, Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency, said: “Lock 50 is the first step in our ambitious plans to completely revitalise the canal basin with new offices, homes, cafes, and shops as part of our masterplan for Rochdale. It offers a great opportunity for growing businesses.”

Councillor Mohammad Sharif, Lead member for regeneration at Rochdale Council, added: “This development will be the catalyst for much regeneration activity focussed around the canal basin in the coming years.”

Construction is expected to be completed this autumn.