Work on new municipal offices to start in new year

Rochdale Development Agency has bought out the former Motorcise gym building on Smith Street, and plan to demolish the building in the new year as part of plans to redevelop Rochdale town centre.

The demolition will pave the way for a new £60million river-side development which will house civic offices and form part of the wider town centre development.

The new civic offices will provide quality accommodation for 2,600 Council, NHS, Impact Partnership and leisure staff along with a new town centre library, training and conference facilities.

Andy Swaby of Rochdale Development Agency said that the agency is progressing with a programme of acquisitions to make space for the new development.

He said: "The Council is in negotiations for the acquisition of other town centre buildings, however we cannot disclose details until contracts have been agreed.

"This preparation work will enable us to get a site ready for the new river-side quarter. These developments will in turn allow the existing municipal offices and bus station to be demolished to make way for a new major retail development.”

It is believed that RDA has also bought a number of bars and clubs on Baillie Street as part of the town centre redevelopment but this is yet to be officially confirmed.