Plans to re-vitalise Drake Street welcomed

The new artwork that has been fitted in Drake Street

A celebration of Rochdale’s musical heritage will form part of £200,000 worth of improvements to Drake Street.

Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) has been allocated the money from Rochdale Borough Council to deliver temporary improvements to the street.

Part of the project will see a five metre piece of artwork fitted on the front of a vacant shop front featuring celebrities who started their careers in Rochdale’s famous Cargo/Suite 16 recording studios. The artwork will include famous names including James, The Happy Mondays, The Stone Roses, Joy Division and Tony Wilson.

Other work will see empty shops receiving new ‘virtual’ shop fronts and environmental improvements will take place on empty open spaces.

Pat Rattigan, Director of Physical Regeneration at RDA said: “It’s great news for businesses on the street. We have been talking with traders on Drake Street about moving these plans forward for some time, so it is great that we can now get started on the improvements.”

Mike Moore, from Pennine Photographic and Binocular Centre, said: “The work will help us breathe new life into Drake Street.

“Improving the appearance of the area is going to play a huge part in attracting more investment to the street.”

Drake Street is set to undergo major work as preparations are made for the arrival of the Metrolink in Rochdale. With this in mind, RDA has chosen to use re-usable and recyclable materials for the projects.

Mr Rattigan explained: “The area is in need of a facelift, but we didn’t want to carry out work that would be ‘undone’ once the Metrolink work starts. The project is about trying to support existing businesses through difficult times ahead by spending the funds in a sensible way. Many of the materials used, including trees and planters can be re-used in other areas in the future. The virtual shop fronts can be moved and re-used too.

“The aim is to support the traders, try and attract new investment and make ‘common sense’ improvements to Drake Street.”