Business owners divided about re-opening of the River Roch

The design for the re-opening has been criticised as being uninspiring and little more than three inspection holes

The main topic of discussion at the recent High Street Foundation meeting was the re-opening of the River Roch.

Speaking to Rochdale Online, Paul Clark, Chairman of the High Street Foundation, said: “There was a lot of discussion regarding the River Roch and what will be happening with that. People had a lot to say about it.”

The general consensus from businesses attending the meeting was that they want the river opening to go ahead and based on that the Foundation will be seeking a meeting with the Leader of the Council, Councillor Richard Farnell to allow the Foundation to voice their thoughts.

The River Roch uncovered in the Town Centre in 1996 revealing a medieval bridge
Photo: © Margaret Curry

Since the meeting, Rochdale Online has spoken to more local business owners regarding the re-opening of the River Roch to see what they would like to happen and opinion was divided.

Steve Harrison, from Stephen Paul Hair Design, said: “I want the river open. It would be an attraction for the town and it would bring people to the town. It may have an effect on businesses while they are doing the work but the town is a demolition site as it is at the moment so it won’t make much of a difference. Opening it up will be great for the town in the long run.”

John Alexander, from J and D Alexander, said: “I think it is an excellent idea and is a good thing for Rochdale. We are lucky because visually the town centre is lovely and I think that by opening up the river, it will make the town centre visually more stunning. It will attract more people here and that is something we are already seeing thanks to the tram so all in all I think it could be really good for Rochdale.”

Shelly Buxton, from Shelly B’s Café, has mixed feelings about the plans and said: “I think it is a good idea but I think if they are going to spend all of that money then they should open it all. In my opinion it doesn’t seem right to just open up a few inspection holes. I do think it could be good for the town and I think the businesses down the road would love to see that extra trade but I think they may as well do the whole thing.”

Brian Sutcliffe, from Uncle Albert’s Catering on The Butts, is against the river opening and said: “I think it is a bad idea. If they were opening the whole of the river then maybe I could see it working but just opening a few holes is something I am not in favour of. I don’t think it will be enough of an attraction for people and I don’t think it will bring people in to the town. This has nothing to do with me having to move from the location because I think where our proposed new location is, in the future will be better, I just think in the long run it is not a good idea. I would like them to do something like a food court with big screens to bring people in.”

The River Roch in the Town Centre in 1903 before it was covered

£2.5 million of local taxpayer’s money the council will have to put in to finance the scheme, in addition to £1.2million the Council has bid from the Heritage Lottery Fund. It is understood that the cost of repaying the capital the council needs to finance the project will be around £200,000 per year.

Councillor Farnell is worried about the overall cost of the scheme and whether or not the end result will bring significant financial benefit to town centre businesses and has asked council officers to produce and in-depth report and this report will go before the next council cabinet meeting for a final decision.