All party support for Portas Pilot bid

Rochdale is bidding to be a Portas Pilot

All of Rochdale's political parties have united to show their support for Rochdale’s bid to become a Portas Pilot.

At a meeting of Full Council on Monday night the following motion was moved by Council Leader, Councillor Colin Lambert, seconded by Councillor Ashley Dearnley and supported by Councillor Wera Hobhouse.

The motion:

This Council fully supports the bid to be a Portas Pilot which, if successful, will be a key part of a programme to rejuvenate our High Street.

Councillor Lambert said: “Let’s get together and unite behind our traders who keep our townships vibrant.”

Councillor Dearnley said he hoped everyone working together would leave a “legacy” to be proud of.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse said the aim across the borough is to make the town centres interesting and exciting. She said she was “very pleased” to support the motion. 

The Portas Pilot will see 12 towns selected, with the winners benefiting from a share of £1million alongside advice from a Whitehall Team and Mary Portas to help turnaround their high streets.

The deadline for bid submissions is 30 March. A decision on which towns have been chosen is expected in May.