Chamber news from Delphine Greenhalgh

Delphine Greenhalgh is Rochdale President of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce

Delphine Greenhalgh is Rochdale President of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

“I was thrilled to welcome over 60 Rochdale businesses to our last Action for Business networking forum at the Norton Grange Hotel.

"Based on the feedback from previous events, we knew that businesses in our borough wanted more information about large projects going on in and around Greater Manchester, and so we invited MediaCityUK’s Director of Communications, Paul Newman, to tell Rochdale businesses all about the on-going development and huge commercial opportunities in the new home of the BBC, Coronation Street and University of Salford, to name but a few," said Delphine.

“Salford Quays now has a ‘buzz’ to it and certainly would not have been perceived as such a success story over a decade ago. I’d like to see some of that positivity return to Rochdale.

"Many of us in the business community work hard and are successful in what we do, achieving some fantastic outcomes, and yet Rochdale often receives very poor media coverage focusing on some of the more negative stories that emerge from our borough.

"Compare Rochdale now with how it was 12 or 18 months ago. We’ve seen some huge changes with large parts either being transformed, or on the way to being transformed. Yes, some of us are suffering from the roadworks, but let’s focus on the positives and look at what we have to offer.

“A recent construction currently generating quite a stir is the Number One Riverside building, which, as well as being the new offices for the Council and Rochdale Development Agency, houses the library and lots of versatile space, much of it open to the public. As well as a striking design inside and out, Number One Riverside has been built with the environment in mind using eco-friendly and energy saving construction material. It has recently been shortlisted, alongside three others, for the Chamber’s Greater Manchester Building of the Year Award, which will be announced at the end of October. So, fingers crossed we get some good news and another positive story to help put Rochdale on the map."