What kind of town centre do you want to see in Rochdale?

Gateway to the town centre

Everyone in Rochdale, together with local businesses and visitors to the town, has the opportunity to make their views known on the vision for the town centre.

Four public exhibitions are planned in the town's shopping centres so you can have your say on the six key themes to shape the redevelopment of Rochdale Town Centre.

You can also see more detailed information and ask questions at one of the following public exhibitions:

• Monday 2 October - 9am to 5pm, Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre
• Tuesday 3 October - 11am to 3pm, Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre (Café area)
• Wednesday 4 October - 11am to 3pm Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre (Library area)
• Friday 6 October - 9am to 5pm Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre

The exhibition can also be viewed at the following venues:

• Fri 13 Oct Norden Community School
• Mon 16 Oct Littleborough Library
• Tue 17 Oct Milnrow Library
• Weds 18 Oct Wheatsheaf Library
• Thurs 19 Oct Middleton Library
• Fri 20 Oct Heywood Library
• Mon 23 Oct Castleton Community Centre
• Tue 24 Oct Spotland Library
• Thurs 26 Oct Deeplish Community Centre
• Fri 27 Oct Smallbridge Library

Should you be unable to get to any of these events, you will still be able to have your say from home. You can complete the questionnaire online by visiting the Rochdale Development Agency web site:

• www.investinrochdale.co.uk

You might also receive a copy of the questionnaire through the post. If you do, please take the time to fill it in and return it, postage paid.

Once you have made your views known on the key themes for improving the town centre, they will help to shape more detailed proposals for what changes will actually be made. Look out for further opportunities next year to comment on these proposals as they are published.

Rochdale Council, Rochdale Development Agency and Rochdale Town Centre Management Company have come up with six key themes, summed up in the headings below, which will guide the regeneration in the town.

Arrive
People need to get into and out of the town centre easily. We would expect any changes to give priority to pedestrians and public transport, but there also needs to be excellent car parking facilities so car users will want to visit the town centre as much as out of town facilities.

Access
As people move around Rochdale town centre, they need to feel safe and comfortable so that they will want to keep coming back. Pedestrians need to be given a higher priority. Good signposting and a safe environment are crucial to easy movement around the town centre.

Safety
Lots of people use town centres for many different reasons and at different times of the day. In a good town centre people feel welcome and safe. Creating clear, direct, attractive and well-lit routes where plenty of positive things are happening will add to the welcoming aspect and to the safety of the town centre.

Vibrant
A successful town centre offers great shops, housing, offices and leisure facilities and has a vibrant atmosphere. It is a town centre that offers choices and opportunities for all those who want to use it at all times of the day.

Distinctive
Rochdale town centre is fortunate in having several distinctive buildings that highlight the town's heritage, but some of the newer developments have not been sympathetic with their surroundings and have been bland and featureless. We want to ensure that new developments reflect the character of the town and its unique identity.

Space
Well designed and used streets are as important in new developments as the buildings themselves, because of the opportunity they provide for people to meet and interact with others. The development coming to Rochdale must enhance the existing streets and public spaces and provide a well-planned attractive and safe environment.