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Rochdale Town Centre Management Company appoint new Chief Executive

Mark Foxley, new Chief Executive of Rochdale Town Centre Management Company

 

 

Mark Foxley has been appointed Chief Executive of Rochdale Town Centre Management Company replacing Debbie Hernon who now heads up The Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre.

Mark was the unanimous choice of the interview panel from the four shortlisted candidates. He is due to take up the role in September.

Rochdale Town Centre Management serves an important function as the forum for town centre businesses by bringing together cross-sector stakeholders in the town centre to work in partnership and co-ordinate their activities towards a common goal. It is also a co-ordinated pro-active initiative designed to ensure that the town centre is a desirable and attractive place at all times of the day. Securing sponsorship and funding will also be a key task.

He said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to this vital role and I am looking forward to the immense challenge of helping Rochdale and its businesses to achieve their potential to become a worthwhile destination in Greater Manchester.

Mark has more than 15 years of director experience and latterly town centre management, along with numerous partnerships and initiatives.

Martin Ballard, Chairman of Rochdale Town Centre Management said: 'Having worked with Mark for the past few years, it's clear his vision and understanding of what the role needs to be will be an asset to TCM and the businesses within the town centre and give the company the best opportunity to become self sustainable in times of reduced funding".

Celebrity BBC Fusion Chef Aazam Ahmad coming to Rochdale!

The fantastic celebrity BBC Fusion Chef - Aazam Ahmad will be in Rochdale this Friday 15 August holding live cookery demonstrations in the town!

As part of the Feel Good Festival Warm Up, Aazam will be cooking live in the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre between 12pm - 2pm and in M&S between 3pm - 5pm.

Come along and watch him for free and pick up some handy cookery tips and tastey recipies!

Borough businesses encouraged to welcome breastfeeding mums

 

Businesses and shops in Rochdale borough are being asked to show their support for breastfeeding mums by signing up for the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme.

Businesses are being encouraged to take part in a Council project by displaying a Breastfeeding Welcome sticker in a prominent window, to reassure mothers that they are welcome to breastfeed their baby on the premises.

This announcement coincides with World Breastfeeding Week, which emphasises the importance of increasing and sustaining the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding. The Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme is a project to enable mothers to breastfeed easily and comfortably when out and about in our borough for example in libraries, Link4Life Sports Centres, shopping venues.

Businesses are being supported to kick start their participation in the scheme, while local NHS Trusts, children’s centres and GP practices are already on board, having already achieved stage 3 UNICEF Baby Friendly Award.

Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Councillor Cecile Biant, said: “The Breastfeeding Welcome scheme is an extremely exciting project that caters to the needs of nursing mums. Studies show that breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from ear and stomach infections, diabetes and obesity when they are older, while breastfeeding also lowers mum’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer.”

For more information about the Breastfeeding Welcome scheme, contact Ruth Bardsley, Public Health, Rochdale Borough Council on 01707 92 7081 or ruth.bardsley@rochdale.gov.uk.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS – FREE BUSINESS ADVICE DROP IN SESSIONS

 

Rochdale Library, No. 1 Riverside – Every Thursday 10am to 1pm

 

Have you been thinking about starting a business?

 

Do you have an idea but not sure what to do next? 

 

OR maybe you are an existing business and are looking for some extra support?

Then why not come along to our FREE drop in session every Thursday at Number One Riverside to discuss your business ideas further.

 

 

PLUS 'TOPIC OF THE WEEK' WITH OUR SPECIALST ADVISOR

 

 

We can also help and advise you on subjects such as Getting your Business On-Line, Accountancy, VAT and Taxation, Business Banking and Finance, Branding and Creative Design / Print, and all forms of Social Media. Our specialist advisors will be available in the library 10am to 1pm on the following dates:

 

How to open a Business Bank Account, bank safely and confidently online, Start-up Packages Finance for your business PLUS much more - Thursday 14 August, 11 September 2014

 

Social Media, Branding and Creative Design & Print - Jenny Hodgkiss from Capture Design - Thursday 21 August, 18 September 2014

 

Getting your Business On-Line - Waseem Pervez from ProWeb - Thursday 28 August, 25 September 2014

 

Accountancy & Taxation - Ruth Pringle - Pringle Accountants - Thursday 4 September 2014

 

Number One Riverside Workers carve up a slice of sustainable living

 

Staff at Number One Riverside swapped their keyboards for trowels as part of a health and wellbeing  scheme to revolutionise the way that Rochdale consumes its food.

Green fingered employees joined the Leader of the Council, Richard Farnell, to plant a delicious range of fruits, herbs and vegetables, including strawberries, chives, lettuce, radishes and tomatoes as part of the community growing scheme, Incredible Edibles.

The programme, which started in Todmorden, sees volunteers create community gardens growing food which can then be picked by any member of the public free of charge.

And now, thanks to the support of the Kellet Street allotment volunteers, who set the plants growing, residents and staff are just a few weeks away from being able to pick the fruit and vegetables and rustle up healthy meals and snacks.

The scheme was made possible following a donation of cash from Five Ways to Wellbeing and planting boxes from local timber company Dresser Mouldings.

The planters are located close to the staff entrance of the building, outside the children’s library.

Funding has also been donated by Experian and is available for community groups and businesses who would like to create their own communal fruit, vegetable or herb gardens in Rochdale town centre.  

Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, Councillor Richard Farnell, said: “Projects like this are a fantastic idea because they encourage healthy eating but also sustainable living. For that reason, it’s particularly appropriate that we have launched this project outside Number One Riverside, one of the most environmentally friendly council buildings in the country. We hope this concept will be embraced by Rochdale residents and spread throughout the town.”  

Anyone who would like to apply for funding to create their own community garden in Rochdale town centre can contact Frances Fielding on frances.fielding@rochdale.gov.uk 01706 926700.

Want to win a prize? Snap and send to be in for a chance

Rochdale’s Feel Good Festival is back again this year and leading up to the festival we are launching our Spot the Hot Rod competition. Taking part is simple…

If you spot the Feel Good Hot Rod car out and about during August and want to be in with a chance to win a prize, take a photograph of yourself with the car and tweet it to @feelgoodfest or send it in to Rochdale Feel Good Festival’s Facebook page. The car will be left in different locations around the borough and prizes will be awarded daily throughout August.  

Some of the prizes up for grabs which have all been donated by local businesses include; a Boots hamper worth over an amazing £200, a spa day pass at The Norton Grange Hotel, a meal for 2 at The Royal Toby, delicious cupcakes from Browns Handcrafted Cakes, 1-1 personal training session at Ladies Only Ltd Gym, Afternoon Tea at the Feel Good Café, a free car valet at RRG Toyota, a Will from Chris Waterhouse and lots more.

The Feel Good Festival is a free event, returning for the 7^th year running taking place on Friday 29 & Saturday 30 of August in Rochdale Town Centre. This year hosts a fantastic line up of live music and entertainment including headline artists Scouting for Girls and one of the nations most loved celebrity chefs – Ainsley Harriott.

For all updates on this years Feel Good Festival visit www.facebook.com/feelgoodfestival or join us on twitter at www.twitter.com/feelgoodfest