Rochdale's Portas Pilot bid has failed

An artist impression of the Hive

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Rochdale has not been selected as one of the town's to receive a share of £1.2million and a tailored package from retail guru Mary Portas.

Rochdale's 'big idea' was not universally acclaimed by the local public, the proposal, that centred on creating a portable entertainment station named The Hive, came in for severe criticism.

Typical of the public reaction was Lawrence Glendinning who said: "I am not impressed over a bunch of what looks like portakabins stacked together."

Father Paul Daly was even more sceptical, he said: "Is this the best that RMBC can come up with? My first reaction was 'a load of portakabins'. This must surely be an early April Fool's joke from the Council. Ms. Portas must be having a laugh at this silly bid! Rochdale becomes the laughing stock once again."

Despite the cuts that have and are still being implemented by Rochdale Borough Council, the Council pledged to match the money if Rochdale's bid was successful. However, it is understood that the Council is still intent on pursuing the 'Hive' idea and could spend a six figure sum to make it a reality. 

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/68345/video-idea-at-the-heart-of-rochdales-portas-bid-revealed

The town's selected:

• Bedford, Bedfordshire - offering mentoring support for High Street businesses and community use of empty properties.
• Croydon, Greater London - transforming the riot-stricken area's historic Old Town market into a thriving market, food and cultural quarter.
• Dartford, Kent - opening up central spaces for use by classes and clubs, from the Scouts to Slimming World and starting a 'school for shopkeepers'.
• Bedminster, Bristol - putting Bedminster on the map for Street Art and Street Theatre. A bicycle rickshaw service and a review of parking will also tackle the traffic environment.
• Liskeard, Cornwall - competing against the edge of town supermarket with a vibrant arts scene, guerrilla gardening and yarn bombing to inject fun back into the town centre.
• Margate, Kent - putting education and enjoyment at the heart of the town centre's transformation with courses, 'job club' services and pop up shops.
• Market Rasen, Lincolnshire - drawing customers in by restoring the market town look and feel, advertising free parking and mentoring new businesses.
• Nelson, Lancashire - attracting local students with a young persons café, sports activities, and a new art and vintage market.
• Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland - better branding of the town to draw people in, improving local transport and hosting pop up shops.
• Stockport, Greater Manchester - realising the character and potential of the Markets and Underbanks area with a creative arts complex, outdoor screenings, a new parking strategy and street champions.
• Stockton on Tees, Teeside - live entertainment at the Globe Theatre to boost the evening leisure economy alongside specialist High Street and evening markets. 
• Wolverhampton, West Midlands - bringing the city will to life with modern day town criers and on-street performers and a 'dragon's den' style competition to support local entrepreneurs.