Regeneration of Heywood to continue says regeneration cabinet member

Councillor John Blundell, cabinet member for regeneration at Rochdale Borough Council and director of the RDA board

The regeneration of Heywood has been highlighted by Rochdale Borough Council's cabinet member for regeneration, after a Rochdale Online reader asked about investment in the town.

Following a report about investment in the borough, Rochdale Online was asked what investment has been planned for Heywood.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/128119/million-of-pounds-of-investment-secured-as-the-boroughs-regeneration-continues

Councillor John Blundell, who is also a director of Rochdale Development Agency, said: “I am happy to say that I recently conducted a Heywood town centre walkabout, with Heywood councillors, as part of a master planning exercise which is currently taking place, following the projects the council has completed over the past few years.

“Those include creating the new Phoenix Centre and library, the regeneration of the town’s impressive War Memorial and Gardens, and other improvements. 

“We have also extended the business rates sale to Heywood to attract new business into empty shop units and have brought many new businesses into the Old Police Station Office development, which is now fully let.

“Away from the town centre, the council is, of course, responsible for Queen’s Park, which is now regarded as one of the finest in the North West, and we are continuing our investment in south Heywood, which will create a new £25m link road to the M62 motorway alongside new homes and a new school.

“I hope that gives Heywood residents some reassurance that all areas of our borough are benefiting from the innovative work being done by the council and its partners like the Rochdale Development Agency.

“In terms of the Dunnes store unit, this is privately owned so our influence is limited. However, I would say that I want to see it occupied with the right type of business for the town as quickly as possible.”