£75,000 upgrade to Heywood shops

Heywood Shops

A row of three shops in Heywood have been the focus of a dramatic £75,000 makeover to help entice customers to the town.

The Property Improvement Programme (PIP), which is delivered by Rochdale Development Agency and funded by New Heart for Heywood, has awarded the businesses £25,000 each for much-needed face-lifts.

The work hails the first block improvement to be completed under the grant scheme, which was allocated in 2007 to attract more visitors to the town. The cash injection has been used to revamp the exteriors of a chemist, solicitors and computer shop at numbers 4, 6 and 8 Market Street.

The shop fronts have been replaced with modern materials, and new signage to make the block more uniform and attractive to prospective customers. The external works include new windows, brickwork and stonework and electric shutters.

Mike Potts, who is a Project Manager at Isherwood and Hose Solicitors, said: “The solicitors, chemist and computer shop have all been refurbished and thanks to their modern new look, are likely to attract a lot more customers.

“The PIP scheme is a fantastic initiative which has made a vast improvement to the local area and has really given Heywood town centre a welcome boost. The modern signage has finished the visual look of the firm off impressively. All the shop fronts are now uniform and security has been improved with new roller shutters.”

Whilst undergoing works, we decided to install new gates, fences, fire escapes, roof repairs as well as flooring to the reception area, stairs and landing.

Meanwhile, electrical shop Dyson Doctor, situated at 18-20 Market Street, has also benefited from a make-over to the tune of £19,000.

Philip Law, the Manager of Dyson Doctor, said: “The new front of our shop looks beautiful and it’s all been done in black which looks very slick. By refurbishing our shop front we want to create the impression of going forward into a more modern age for Heywood town centre. We’ve had new signage put in place and it looks totally different as the shop used to be an old Liberal Club nearly 200 years ago.

“We seem to be getting more customers in after the refurbishment. It’s all about making changes and improvements to ensure that Heywood keeps up with other towns.”

The completion of the block improvement programme highlights the ongoing achievements of the grant scheme, which came to an end in August last year.

Malcolm Bruce, Office Manager for New Heart for Heywood said: “These grants really have made a difference to the appearance of our town centre businesses. I am delighted at the way Heywood is looking now.”

Councillor McCarthy added: “I welcome the much needed improvement to the street scene brought to Heywood Town Centre following the works funded by the New Heart for Heywood Partnership. It has made a real difference. I now look forward to seeing emerging plans for further Town Centre Improvements being brought forward under the Sustainable Urban Neighbourhood programme, recently endorsed by Heywood Township Committee”.