The meeting was excellently Chaired by Paul Clark of CJ Partnerships along with Vice Chair - Greg Couzens and the theme of the evening was HERITAGE.
Peter Rowlinson - Director of Planning & Regulation at Rochdale Council kicked off proceedings with a general update. Lots has been happening in Heywood & Middleton Town Centres and the Council are working with local businesses to establish Town Teams for both centres and budgets of £25K are being allocated to both centres to invest in supporting the vitality and vibrancy of these towns.
We saw some exclusive photographs taken of the medieval bridges underneath The Butts (see photo's below!) which will be exposed when the River is re-opened, and heard about exciting plans to launch an international design competition for Rochdale town centre backed by English Heritage.
Julian Jefferson - the Arts & Heritage Director for the Borough gave a sterling presentation on the Borough's heritage offer despite his Powerpoint slides running away with themselves! We heard about our physical heritage offer;
East Lancs Railway
Ellenroad Engine House
GM Fire Service Museum
Middleton Golden Cluster
The Pioneers Museum
Touchstones
& the wonderful Town Hall
He also promoted a range of heritage events taking place including a Rochdale Co-operatives Day on 22 June, the Heywood 1940's Day (29 June), Rochdale Food Good Festival (30 & 31 August) and a Zusammen Choir Procession that took place last week!
A pop up shop has also been opened for 1 month by young people in Rochdale Town Centre who took their inspiration from the town's industrial heritage.
Other exciting snippets of news...the Metrolink into Rochdale Town Centre is on schedule and could be running as early as January 2013, a section of the Tour de France race will come through Rochdale Borough next year! (OK so it's only 1Km but it's still comming to the Boro!) Marks & Spencer are investing in a store refurbishment in September and O2 have opened a new flagship store in Middleton town centre!
CAR PARKING was a usual hot topic - should it be free all day? Should people be charged 10p an hour so it can be measured? Should people have to buy something to get a free parking ticket? Should you be able to park anywhere for 10 minutes saving grace? The Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre are offering permits for town centre workers for £2 a day!
Marks & Spencer called for action to be taken on the empty shops and quick wins could include decorative hoardings / artwork in shop windows to make the high street look more attractive.
A new development is opening in July - The Rochdale Station Bazaar (opposite Rochdale train station) comprising 15 individual retail units, a coffee shop and Cost Cutter supermarket.
The Best of Rochdale promoted their philosphy - to promote the best of Rochdale! And Winning Pitch are holding a Growth Accelerator workshop for local businesses on 19 June.
It was a shame the meeting ran out of time as I could have sat and listened for another hour, and the energy in the room was captivating.
All of the ideas and issues discussed at the High Street Foundation meetings are reported back to Rochdale Council Town Centres Committee to ensure action is taken.
If you would like to get involved and join the High Street Foundation, come along to our next meeting on Tuesday 09 July, 6pm - 7.30pm at Number One Riverside, Rochdale.
These images show the medieval bridges above the River Roch - taken by Urban Exploratory Photography.
A group of young people have opened a Pop Up shop on Yorkshire Street in Rochdale Town Centre - selling T-shirs and fabrics inspired by the town's industrial heritage.
A selection of goods on sale at the Retail Ready Pop Up Shop on Yorkshire Street, Rochdale.
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