Council to consider shortlisting developer for Rochdale town centre redevelopment

Rochdale Borough Council’s Cabinet will be discussing the potential of shortlisting North West company Genr8 Developments to take forward multi-million pound retail development plans for the town centre.

The Cabinet will consider the matter on Thursday 1 October. If the Cabinet decides to progress with one developer, the Council will seek further clarification on the outline proposals before making a formal shortlisting in around two months.

Roger Ellis, Chief Executive of Rochdale Borough Council said: “Following a review of the expressions of interest received, Cabinet will consider progressing discussions with Genr8 Developments about the retail plans for the town centre. Following further discussions on the proposals, we would intend to make a formal announcement in around November. If we do decide to shortlist Genr8, we will then enter into a period of negotiations and local people will be fully consulted on the proposals early next year.”

In the meantime, work is continuing at pace to progress other elements of the town centre’s regeneration to create the space for construction to start on the new retail development in 2012. Hundreds of people gave their views recently on the plans for the new £60 million municipal offices.

The current municipal offices, known locally as the ‘Black Box’, built in the mid 1970s will be demolished, together with the adjacent bus station. This will then create the new retail core.

The plan includes attracting complementary private sector investment with cafes, bars and restaurants. Many other towns and cities make use of their water-ways as business and tourist locations and Rochdale wants to make more of the impressive river that runs through the town centre and bring it back to life for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The new municipal offices will be a catalyst for the regeneration of other aspects of the town including new retail, transport, health and education facilities. Work on a new 6th form college is underway and Metrolink arrives into the town in 2012.

Roger Ellis added: “Bringing forward plans for the new council headquarters along with a library, customer services and office space for thousands of staff will be a significant milestone for the borough, with the retail development to follow, the transport interchange and the arrival of Metrolink. All this will go a long way to revitalising the town centre. These new projects and developments will undoubtedly have a massive effect on Rochdale and create a town centre to be proud of.”