Landmark building starts to take shape

The building is starting to take shape – the current Municipal Offices and bus station are in the background. They’ll be demolished to make way for the new retail and leisure development.

Work on a new building which will house a library, customer service centre and council offices in Rochdale town centre is well under way.

Sir Robert McAlpine started work on the construction of the 16,500 square metre building earlier this year and now three tower cranes are on site to help put the framework of the building in place.

The building, due to be completed in late 2012, will make way for the regeneration of the town centre.

Councillor Farooq Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “Things are really moving now.”

He added: “The building is really important for the future of Rochdale and the town centre. It will save the Council more than £28 million over 30 years because we are bringing together employees from many other buildings, which would have cost millions to maintain and upgrade to sustainability standards.”

Councillor Ahmed encouraged people to support local business and reminded them to take part in the town centre consultation.

Paul Walker, Sir Robert McAlpine’s Project Manager, said: “The tower cranes which range in height from 45 to 65m will assist us to complete the majority of the framework by Christmas. Two of the cranes will remain on site after Christmas to help us build the roof and walls.”

People can still take part in the town centre consultation by visiting: www.rochdaletowncentre.com