Borough on verge of success

The Mayor of the Borough of Rochdale, Councillor James Gartside

A major driving force for Councillor James Gartside during his year as Mayor of the Borough of Rochdale will be his belief that the area is on the verge of achieving something special.

While acknowledging the challenges that the borough continues to face, the new Mayor believes that the qualities of its residents, the investment it is attracting and the numerous regeneration projects taking place will ensure a bright future.

“An important part of my role is to project a positive image of the borough when meeting visitors from other parts of the country or overseas,” he said.

“This is something I am looking forward to very much as there are many things happening here that we should all be excited about.”

As someone who has worked in the cotton industry, the Mayor is well aware of the area’s proud industrial past,  but also convinced that it has a vibrant economic future.

“At business parks such as Kingsway and Crown we have the ability to accommodate many successful organisations. Hundreds of jobs are already being created by companies like Asda and JD Sports together with lots of smaller companies who are attracted by our quality workforce and transport links.”

Other reasons for optimism, he says, include the forthcoming arrival of Metrolink, the regeneration work in Rochdale town centre and around the borough and the excellent results already being achieved by students at the Sixth Form College.

“I’ve heard people say that Metrolink will just take people out of the area and that young people with good qualifications will want to leave, but I don’t believe that.

“All of the investment and regeneration currently taking place is going to ensure the borough is somewhere that people will want to live and work and that is the message I intend to spread as loudly and widely as possible during my year in office.

“I feel we are currently in an interim period and that in the years to come we will look back and see that this was when the foundations for success were laid.”

Important as investment and regeneration is, however, the Mayor believes that the borough’s greatest attribute is something that money can’t buy, its people.

“Our residents possess great amounts of resilience and tolerance and it is these qualities that have helped us through the hard times.

“And while it has often felt like we were climbing a steep hill, I believe we are now near the summit and will soon be seeing the results of all our hard work.

“Rochdale is a wonderful place and I am proud to be its Mayor.”