Drake Street set to receive £70,000

Want to buy this photo?

Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Vince Cable with Drake Street business owner Ian Sandiford of Sandiford Fine Gifts & Jewellery Rochdale MP Paul Rowen

Shops and businesses on Drake Street are set to receive £70,000 for improvements to their premises and the local environment.

Rochdale Borough Council are currently in consultation with Drake Street’s shops and businesses about what they would like to see the money spent on.

Drake Street’s shops and businesses have recently formed the ‘Drake Street Independent Traders’ and one of their aims is to come up with new ideas to help improve businesses along the street.

Last week, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor and Deputy Leader Vince Cable visited Sandifords Jewellers on Drake Street to talk the business owner Ian Sandiford about his experiences on Drake Street during the recession.

Mr Sandiford said: “It was great to see Vince taking time out to talk to local traders about their experiences. What I like about Vince is he speaks common sense and understands what is needed, on a national level, to help businesses like mine.

"The £70,000 for Drake Street is very much welcome. I’m sure many of the businesses along Drake Street have some good ideas about how they would like to see this money spent.”

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said: “This £70,000 investment is good news for businesses along Drake Street and I’m sure they will put it to good use.”