Paul Rowen launches new RO web site

Ian and Paul Rowen with the new RO site in the backgroud

As you are reading this article you may well have noticed the Rochdale Online web site has been completely redeveloped. Over 12 months work to design and develop a system that could seamlessly migrate tens of thousands of pages of information built up over ten years into a new database and a new site structure whilst simultaneously catering for lots of new and exciting functionality, and make it easy to add more features in the future, came to fruition on Saturday 15 March - and Rochdale MP Paul Rowen joined staff at the Rochdale Online office to officially press the button that began the process.

Paul Rowen said: “I was very pleased to officially launch this excellent, new look site. Over the last few years Rochdale Online has become a valuable resource for breaking news in Rochdale. When I am on holiday, I visit Rochdale Online to find out what is going on in my town. I hope that this new site will continue to keep people informed about what’s going on in Rochdale. I look forward to continuing my Letter from Parliament and my Online Surgery. I would encourage everyone in Rochdale to sign up to the website that keeps us in the know!”

The site has a new look and feel, modern and sophisticated with a very easy to use navigation system. Built to the latest accessibility guidelines, taking into account the Disability Discrimination Act, the site is cross browser and cross platform compatible. An easy to use bespoke in house developed content management system sits in the background and is used not only by Rochdale Online staff, but also by thousands of site users, businesses, classifieds advertisers, forum users, etc., geographically spread and using all types of computers, and of course mobile devices, to access the site. 

The Ask Bury sister site has also been redeveloped and will be launched later this week along with an all new Ask Rossendale site.

Kevin Abbot, the Heywood based businessman who runs the Ask Bury web site under franchise from Rochdale Online, said: "The previous site was very good, the new one is exceptional. I cannot wait to see it launched in Bury."

Iain and Margaret Wight are the franchisees of the Rossendale site and have spent the past few months familiarising themselves with the RO set up ready for their launch.

The satellite sites in Heywood, Littleborough and Middleton are still under redevelopment and will be launched in April.

It is expected the new Oldham site will also be launched in April; the site is ready and awaits only the imminent conclusion of long term negotiations with a major and well respected Oldham based organisation that are to run the site.

Tameside will follow early summer and negotiations are in the early stages with a potential site operator in Ashton.