Pressure group demand say on town centre plans

Pressure group demand say on town centre plans

A group of concerned citizens held its first face-to-face meeting last night (17 June) to discuss plans for the regeneration of Rochdale Town Centre and exchange ideas with each other.

The group met at Shelly B’s café on Drake Street and was attended by 16 people comprising of concerned townspeople and business owners who were encouraged to input their own ideas for discussion. It is understood that Council Leader Richard Farnell has agreed to meet with representatives of the group to discuss their ideas further.

Whilst it was generally felt that a stronger, more diverse retail sector was long overdue, the group felt that the best way to draw people in should be based less around a wholly retail business model and more upon enhanced entertainment opportunities which would be attractive to people of all ages. Better provision of pubs, restaurants, a theatre, museum, food-court and performance venues should be considered and funding options explored.

The high business rates in the town were cited as a major deterrent to attracting new businesses and the siting of the market was also felt to be crucial if we wanted to compete with towns such as Bury.

There was a lively and informed discussion and those present said that they needed to draw on our industrial and cultural heritage whilst keeping their eyes firmly fixed on the future in order to avoid past mistakes.

The group plan to hold further meetings and to take their thoughts to the council.