New Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre entrance almost complete

Photo: Journeaux

The new Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre entrance is almost complete

The new Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre entrance on Baillie Street is almost complete with work on the much delayed project due to finish before the end of the month. It is understood the entrance will be opened to the public in early August.

As well as the new entrance, there is a new atrium with additional escalators and lifts, as well as changes to individual stores’ structures. The improvements are expected to attract new retailers and increase footfall.

The work was originally scheduled to have been completed by Christmas 2014, however, Globe MSL, the contractor appointed to deliver the project, went into administration part way through the work.

Styles and Wood took over late last year and planned to complete by May this year, but has been dogged by unforeseen problems, hence the additional delay.

The project has proved costly for Rochdale Council - whilst the Council has previously refused to say how much over the original £2million budget the work has gone, it is understood to be 'significantly' as compensation has to be paid to the Wheatsheaf owners due to the delay and the new contractor has charged more to complete the work.

Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre manager Debbie Hernon said: "Work to create a more open and inviting entrance to the Wheatsheaf Centre is going very well.

"The project, which will see the construction of a brand new entrance into the centre from Baillie Street with new escalators and lifts, is largely complete, and we are expecting that the public will be able to access most of these facilities by the end of June.

"This new entrance will better connect this important shopping area with the new Rochdale Market and the Transport Interchange as well as Number One Riverside.

"The improved Wheatsheaf Centre will also play an important role in the town centre, not just as a key part of our shopping offer, but in better linking the different parts of the town centre, making it easier for people to move between the different shopping areas."