Drake Street is ‘alive and kicking’

Ian Sandiford of Sandiford's International Fine Jewellery and Gifts

8 More Image(s) In Gallery

Drake Street recently re-opened to traffic after the installation of the new tram lines caused major disruption.

The road was closed over two years ago and has consequently affected the businesses that lie along this route with traffic being diverted elsewhere.

Rochdale Online took a trip down Drake Street to see how things now looked and what local retailers had to say.

The area has newly laid paving and fewer obstacles to manoeuvre around, and is starting to see a steady influx of shoppers rediscovering one of Rochdale’s main shopping streets.

Margaret Theobald, of Brides of Rochdale, said: “We’ve seen extra footfall since the road started clearing. Hopefully that will carry on because there are no obstacles in people’s way; obviously out-of-towners couldn’t find their way in before.”

Cars and buses are now permitted to drive up and down most of the street but a number of changes to the layout have been made to make way for the new trams. Cars and buses travelling down Drake Street are now diverted along Water Street. Only buses are allowed to drive up Drake Street from the bottom.

Ian Sandiford, of Sandifords International Fine Jewellery and Gifts, said: “There’s definitely more footfall on the street and the fact that people can walk and drive up and down the street with relative ease, we can see it as being an improvement.

“People just couldn’t get to us and there was no parking. There were few signs telling people where to go.

"What’s nice about it really is its much freer now. I’ve just walked into town.”

And it appears that a few traders are celebrating the re-opening by getting out the paintbrush and bringing a little life back to their shop fronts.

Ian Sandiford continued: “It’s very positive really because we’ve had three very difficult trading years due to all the alterations, and now one or two businesses have had their shops painted and ours is going to be done very soon.”

Margaret Theobald, of Brides of Rochdale, said: “Earlier this year and late last year had a huge impact on us so it’s been a struggle.

“We’re having a new frontage done, new sign and paint. It will spruce it all up.”

As Oliver Hope from Denis Hope suggests, getting people back on to Drake Street is the next task.

He says: “We had three and a half years of it and people would decide to go elsewhere as it was too hard to actually get to us. It’s a case of trying to get them back in. We need to make it obvious that you can now drive up and down and it’s easier to park.”

Carol Johnson from CJ’s Baby Boutique agrees saying: “We have to have a positive attitude, I think things will improve. It’s just people getting to know that Drake Street is alive and kicking.”

It is very important that more and more people know that Drake Street is now back open for business. Improvements to the area such as the increased amount of parking space have definitely enhanced the appeal of the street.

Peter McCoye from Pianos and Accordions thinks that bigger improvements will be seen once people get used to the new layout.

He said: “It looks a lot better now and traffic’s going up. Soon we can get customers who can park near by and when they know how to get here, it will be easier.

“It will take people quite a while to find their way round, but I think it will be okay. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Many shop owners are now excited about what the future now has in store. Michael Moore, owner of Pennine Photography, said: “After having a few years of disruption, I can only see it getting better and I’m looking forward to it.”

Assma Khan, of H.O.H. Footwear and Accessories, said: “It’s been a nightmare for three years but its more positive now because we’ve had flowing traffic.

“I had one customer who drove by, saw the shoe shop, did a U-turn, parked somewhere and popped in.

“Customers can just walk past now so we were hoping it will improve a lot more. We’re a little bit more positive than we were before.”

The tram is expected to arrive on the tracks early next year and it is hoped this will bing more shoppers to Drake Street.

After many years of tough circumstances the completion of the Metrolink works can’t come soon enough for the traders. With a positive outlook for the future, Drake Street can now focus on its customers - new and old.

Louise Butterworth, of Butterworth Jewellers, said she would like to thank those who have stayed loyal to the area: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank those people who have continued to support us through the tram works because they really have been fantastic. It’s not been easy for anyone or for them to get here. The public and regulars have been amazingly loyal to Drake Street.”