Council Leader says 'Rochdale is open for business'

ASDA, Kingsway Business Park, Rochdale

'Rochdale is open for business’ is the message coming from the council’s leader Richard Farnell.

Councillor Farnell said: "Despite the continued recession which still has the country in its grip, the borough is enjoying brisk business as large companies fall over themselves to grab available space on the area’s industrial parks.

"The fact that Rochdale has the largest amount of industrial floor space of any local authority in Greater Manchester – over 26 million sq ft, certainly helps; and the fact the borough straddles the M62 with major business parks at each of the three motorway junctions is another factor.

"More people are employed in in Rochdale manufacturing than any other borough in Greater Manchester.

"According to a recent report by the council’s investment arm, Rochdale Development Agency, the borough is fast becoming the logistics capital of the county with over 50 such firms now operating from a Rochdale HQ.

"The likes of JD Sports, Asda Wincanton, Argos, Martin Brower and Yearsley Group are now based in the borough".

Councillor Farnell added: “Rochdale’s certainly a place on the up, and the Council is working hard to attract new firms to the borough, and not just in logistics.

"The Council is investing in Kingsway Business Park – the fastest growing business park in Greater Manchester – as well as at Stakehill in Middleton and South Heywood. Hundreds of new jobs – from engineering to distribution - have been created at these sites in the past year – all with help from the Council.

"Having said that, there are also hundreds of well-paid managerial, technical and specialist jobs being created in the logistics sector. This sector provides much needed jobs for a lot of local residents.

“The council has worked tirelessly to bring much-needed business, and with it, jobs to the borough.

“However, the report which highlighted these brilliant statistics, also revealed that when it comes to wages, workers from our borough fall behind those doing the same type of jobs elsewhere.

“Obviously this isn’t good enough. That is why Labour is campaigning for a £10 hour living wage to make work pay.

“The foundations for a more affluent borough have now been laid; we now have to work equally hard in ensuring that any available jobs in Rochdale have parity with those in other parts of Greater Manchester.

“One thing is certain though. Rochdale is open for business.”