The Walk in Bloom

The Walk

The Walk is set to get a colourful floral display for Rochdale Town Centre In Bloom this year.

Mark Foxley, from Town Centre Management, said: “It is envisaged that 2017 will be an even stronger entry, especially with business involvement and all the fantastic plans that are being made to further regenerate our lovely town centre.

“Last years’ silver gilt award was a testament to all the hard work put in by a dedicated partnership consisting of Rochdale Town Centre Management, Rochdale In Bloom, Rochdale Development Agency and Environmental Management. The town centre looked its best for years and the improvements are still ongoing.”

Roy Down, vice chairman of Rochdale In Bloom, said: "After the tremendous success of last year's entry into the North West In Bloom competition, we are really looking forward to the 2017 entry. There are some really exciting projects planned, all designed to enhance the visitor experience to our town centre. Rochdale In Bloom will be working in partnership with Town Centre Management and RMBC's Environmental Management."

He added: "This year will hopefully see more collaborative events involving shops and businesses. The exciting project involving The Walk, is a prime example. There are exciting times ahead for our town centre and Rochdale In Bloom relishes the chance to play a small part in its regeneration."

Greg Couzens, whose hair salon is on The Walk, said: “The Walk is architecturally very similar to The Shambles in York: the narrow walkway, the close proximity of the shops.

“It's crying out to be highlighted, to give shopping a new dimension, to experience the sounds of running water from the open river, the chimes of bells from St. Chads and the Town Hall, the beautiful York stone paving, and finally, the removal of the A-boards.

“The next stage is very cheap and deliverable: a menagerie of colour with a spectacular display of various flowers tumbling from window boxes, hanging baskets and fixed displays at each end.

“I am confident that if we do this correctly, we will win a gold.”

Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, Councillor Richard Farnell, said: “We achieved great things in Rochdale town centre last year, but we’d like to turn that silver gilt award into a shining gold this time round, and the more people get involved, the better chance we will have.

"Having a blooming beautiful borough is a priority for the council and just this weekend, our staff were joined by volunteers from the Rochdale Environmental Action Group (REAG) and Rochdale Town Centre Management in a big spring clean of the town centre.

"We also have dedicated teams working all over the borough, in addition to our existing environmental enforcement teams, to tackle grotspots, plant flowers, and generally make the borough sparkle.”

A fantastic team effort saw Rochdale gain several awards for the North West In Bloom Awards 2016. The town centre won a Silver Gilt Award in the inaugural Town Centre Award category, ‘Revealing the Roch’ won the North West Heritage Award and the Rochdale Township entry won gold for the first time in five years.

The Flying Horse Hotel in Rochdale town centre became the first winner of the Rochdale Town Centre In Bloom Award in the Best Small Accommodation category and will be entering again in 2017.

In Bloom, Rochdale Town Centre Management, Rochdale Development Agency and Rochdale Borough Council are again working together to enter the Town Centre Category in 2017.