Council in bid to buy Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre

The Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre

Rochdale Council is set to put forward a bid to buy the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre.

The centre, situated on Yorkshire Street, has been in administration since August and a buyer has not yet been found.

The amount of money the council has set aside for the bid has not been revealed but the bid has been confirmed.

The centre is home to 20 shops, including big names such as Argos, T J Hughes and New Look – and is also key to the regeneration of Rochdale Town Centre.

Roger Ellis, Chief Executive, Rochdale Borough Council said:“The Rochdale Town Centre East development scheme, involving the site of the current bus station and municipal offices and the surrounding area, is vitally important to the regeneration of Rochdale.

“We are working very closely with our development partner, Genr8, on these exciting plans. It is essential that this new development is carefully integrated with the rest of the town centre and in particular with the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre.

“Discussions have been ongoing for several months with the receivers for the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre to ensure the best possible means of integration.

“A number of key properties have already been acquired, using funds provided by the government’s regeneration body, the Homes and Communities Agency.

“Additional funds have been allocated for further acquisitions in the town centre to enable the overall regeneration scheme to proceed successfully.”

Mr Ellis concluded: “We and Genr8 are also talking to the receivers about options for improving the Wheatsheaf and making better use of space within it. This includes the re-allocation of space within the centre when the library moves across the road into its new home in the new municipal offices.”

The Leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Colin Lambert, said: “If the figures stack up then it will be a good investment for the authority and it will secure the future for traders in the centre.

“The business case gives a clear investment in the town centre.”

Councillor Lambert added: “All of the party leaders and both MPs have been briefed and no objections were raised.”

The Leader of the Independent Alliance Party, Councillor Greg Couzens, said: “This is an integral part of the regeneration of the town centre.”

The Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Councillor Irene Davidson, added: “This was looked into when I was Leader, as an option, but nothing else.

“People are having a go at us for not moving on the town centre so this means we can get moving and we will have complete control of the town centre.

“Maybe it has come at a bad time but it is a good move.”

Councillor Ashley Dearnley the Leader of the Conservative Party in Rochdale said: “We need to ensure that we have got the ability to develop the town centre and if this way means that is sure to happen then it has got to be done.

“However, it is unfortunate that we have got to use Council money to achieve this.”