Heywood town centre shops to get major investment

Heywood town centre is set for a £500,000 cash injection to smarten up the appearance of a prominent row of shops on Market Street, backing on to Dawson Street.

The aim is to make Heywood more attractive to shoppers and visitors to the town. New signs will also encourage shoppers at the nearby Times Retail Park to stop off in the town centre and make use of local businesses.

Thirteen businesses, from the Shine hairdressers to the RSCPA shop, are set to benefit from the facelifts, with work including new sandstone facades, new signs and redesigned shop fronts in either Victorian, Edwardian or smart contemporary designs.

John Heywood, Vice-chairman of New Heart for Heywood said: “A visible transformation is taking place in the town centre and this latest initiative will deliver dramatic results and support local businesses.” 

Councillor Alan McCarthy, Chairman of the Heywood Township, added: “This is a welcomed investment in Heywood Town Centre.”

Peter Hill, Deputy Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency said: “This major upgrade on an important town centre gateway will encourage people to shop and do business in the town centre. The improvements build on other regeneration work to uplift the appearance of the town centre such as new street signs, tree planting and hanging baskets along with new traffic junction barriers.”

Contractors Jackson &Jackson have started the work which is expected to take up to six months. The block will have scaffolding to the front and rear with one lane of Dawson Street temporarily closed. Access to the shops and businesses will carry on as usual.

Over £500,000 worth of improvements is being funded by New Heart for Heywood and managed by Rochdale Development Agency.