Architect’s vision to turn Town Centre into international destination

Extract of the initial sketch idea

A Rochdale architect has come up with an inspirational idea to make the most of the Rochdale Town Hall and Town Hall Square when staff move into the new municipal offices.

Paul Clark, Managing Director of CJ Partnership, is in the process of putting plans together which will see Rochdale become an international heritage destination.

Mr Clark’s plans show a new building - linked with an underground passage to the Town Hall - which will become a Co-operative museum.

The plans also show a five star hotel, a variety of retail facilities, the opening up of the River Roche and a space for winter gardens.

Speaking to Rochdale Online, Mr Clark, said: “When the new municipal offices are built the Town Hall will be vacant, that puts Rochdale in a unique position.”

Mr Clark continued: “With the tram coming we could have a special heritage trail from Manchester to Rochdale which is sure to boost tourism and business”

Mr Clark said the Town Hall is a “unique” building and Rochdale has the “best” town centre setting in Greater Manchester. He added: “So why not make the whole area totally unique?”

The idea is already attracting the attention and support it requires from councillors and planners.
“I have put some feelers out, this is something that needs everybody behind it,” added Mr Clark.

He predicts the cost of the project could be hundreds of millions of pounds but he feels in the long run the profit will be ten times that.

“It will be a huge benefit to the region,” he said. “The Town Hall is fantastic, it is one of the best in the country and I think we should make the most of it. We could be the envy of England, or even the North of England.”

An initial sketch idea of the project can be viewed by clicking the file link below.

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