Rochdale Emporium wins Towns Alive award

Rochdale Emporium, Yorkshire Street

Rochdale Emporium has won the award for North Zone Business and Economy at the 2013 Towns Alive awards.

Rochdale Emporium is a unique and quality retail destination that was created from a vacant property. The first floor is split into four retail pods with a chic and upmarket café and bar.

When discussing the Emporium, the judges of the awards said: “This has been a new way to use a location as a platform to showcase local business and to develop a real social enterprise involving all users of the town centre.”

Housing high quality independent retailers, Rochdale Emporium is run by Rochdale Town Centre Management.

Debbie Hernon, Chief Executive of Rochdale Town Centre Management, said: “The Rochdale Emporium project has been extremely difficult and trying at times, however, I do feel that our many loyal customers regularly visiting us show that it's worth all the effort.

“This beautiful building has been saved from becoming yet another charity shop by a Council that showed a vision and passion for the town.

"As a not for profit company we are able to invest any money made by the Emporium back into the town and act as an ambassador for the many great businesses we have. Winning this award helps us raise the profile of that.”

Action for Market Towns founded their awards in 2004 to recognise initiatives that are helping towns to adapt to change.

Applications for the awards are welcomed from five geographical areas: North Zone, West Zone, East Zone, South Zone and Welsh Zone.

Winning projects of each zone will now go forward to be considered for Action for Market Towns’ prestigious Towns Alive National Awards and Trailblazer Town Award.

All award winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Congleton in November.