Rochdale town centre conservation area progress praised by Historic England

The Rochdale town centre conservation area has been praised by Historic England for making “significant progress” with its historic buildings and sites.

Rochdale’s town centre conservation area includes a number of historic buildings, many of which are listed.

The town’s conservation area was added to the Historic England’s ‘At Risk Register’ in 2013 after suffering many years of a lack of maintenance, loss of historical details, and a high number of vacant buildings. The conservation area was first designated in 1980, with extensions added in 2011.
 

Read more: Council in bid to create ‘radical and romantic Rochdale’ Published: 02 November 2011

Historic England, Rochdale Council and other local partners set up a Heritage Action Zone in 2018 to provide grants for repairs to buildings, encourage economic regeneration and re-engage residents, businesses and visitors with the town’s rich industrial and social heritage.

The Heritage Action Zone will run until 2023 and aims to remove the town centre conservation area from the register, create 180 new residential units and establish 10 new businesses.

The town hall is currently being restored with Historic England praising the opening of the Co-op Enterprise Hub as well as the regeneration of South Parade and Drake Street.

 

 

Historic England said: “Rochdale was a textile boom town during the Industrial Revolution, and from its many mills sprang the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society, regarded as the founders of the world-renowned co-operative movement."

This heritage is now being harnessed to help regenerate the town centre - a new Co-operative Enterprise Hub will be opened in the former Butterworth Jewellers premises on Drake Street. The hub will offer young people access to advice and training, as well as providing both publicly accessible retail space and private office space to allow fledgling co-operatives to operate.

Historic England added: “The curved terrace of shops on the corner of South Parade and Drake Street is a distinctive feature of the route between Rochdale’s train station and the town centre.

“These buildings had fallen into decline until repair grants were provided through the Heritage Action Zone.

“As well as helping local businesses and improving the living conditions for the residents above the commercial units, Rochdale’s town centre conservation area is being enhanced, making the town a more attractive place to visit and invest in.

“More is still to be achieved with Rochdale Council undertaking further work with building owners to find new uses for vacant buildings and grants are being awarded for repairs to more historic buildings.

“The council is also developing information and advice for visitors and building owners alike, who wish to find out more about the town’s historic buildings and how best to conserve them for future generations.”

 

 

Rochdale MP Sir Tony Lloyd has welcomed the news. He said: "I am delighted that Rochdale Town Centre Conservation Area has made such good progress, and I offer my thanks to Rochdale Council and everyone in the community involved in the success of this project. 

"It’s a great opportunity to celebrate the hard work and dedication of local people who have come together to care for historic places despite the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic over the past 18 months.

"The publication of the Heritage at Risk Register reminds us that historic places positively impact people’s quality of life. They have been an anchor for local communities during these uncertain times. From high street shops to places of worship, or cherished historic landscapes, they have been vitally important to us and to our wellbeing."

Catherine Dewar, Historic England’s North West Regional Director, said: “Our heritage is an anchor for us all in testing times.

“Despite the challenges we have faced recently, this year’s Heritage at Risk Register demonstrates that looking after and investing in our historic places can contribute to the country’s economic recovery, bring communities together and help tackle climate change by avoiding carbon emissions from building new.

“The amazing progress made this year in the North West shows what’s possible with strong partnerships, dedicated individuals and funding support. But there is always more to do to give our cherished historic places the attention, investment and secure future they deserve.”

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, added: "Our heritage is an anchor for us all in testing times. Despite the challenges we have all faced recently, this year’s Heritage at Risk Register demonstrates that looking after and investing in our historic places can contribute to the country’s economic recovery, bring communities together and help tackle climate change. Our historic places deserve attention, investment and a secure future."