Rochdale river reopening on course as Heritage Lottery Fund confirms £1.2m cash injection

Photograph taken by Andrew Brookes

Rochdale’s medieval bridge, which has been hidden from public view for more than a century, is set to be uncovered following the approval of a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant to reopen the River Roch.

The Heritage Lottery Fund’s £1.2m grant is a huge boost to the scheme, which is a vital part of Rochdale town centre’s ongoing regeneration.

The project, which is also backed by the Environment Agency and Regional Flood and Coastal Committee with financial support of £1m, will remove two sections of the culvert that covers the river to reveal the stunning 800-year-old bridge, which was hidden from view in 1864.

Aside from a brief period in the early nineties when the river was uncovered for engineering works, no one has glimpsed this unique part of Rochdale’s heritage for over one hundred years.

As well as uncovering and restoring the bridge the project includes measures to enhance the natural heritage of the river by including features that encourage river vegetation and creatures to re-establish themselves.

Sara Hilton, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: “Rochdale’s exciting plans to re-open the River Roch will not only reveal the hidden heritage at the heart of the town, but will inspire local people to get involved and support the surrounding natural environment. Running through the heart of the town, the River Roch has played a vital role in Rochdale’s history over the years and this project, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, will ensure that it will again.”

The exposed sections of the river will be located at the junction of Yorkshire Street and the Esplanade.

Rochdale Borough Council Leader, Richard Farnell, said: “This is great news for Rochdale and we’re incredibly pleased the Heritage Lottery Fund has agreed to support this vital project. The smaller scheme approved by the Council has saved over £1m and concentrates on revealing the historic 13^th Century bridge. This will be a fantastic heritage attraction for the town.

“We also have plans to regenerate the wider Butts area which will house a traditional outdoor market. All these plans are intended to make Rochdale town centre a much more attractive place to shop and visit.

“The river reopening will help create a stunning town centre attraction and will be quite unique in the area.”

The Environment Agency welcomed the news, as the river reopening will significantly reduce the flood risk in Rochdale town centre.

Tony Callaghan, Project Lead for the river reopening for the Environment Agency, said “This project will deliver some fantastic outcomes for the people of Rochdale. It will reduce flood risk for over 40 properties and deliver significant environmental improvements to 450m of concrete river channel by establishing more natural habitats. The project is a great example of how we are working with local and national partners to reduce flood risk, improve the natural environment and help restore some of Rochdale’s fantastic heritage”.

Work is set to start as early as February 2015, with the entire scheme due to be completed in the autumn of that year.

Cllr Farnell added: “Rochdale’s redevelopment, which has gained real momentum in recent years, is not just about bringing new shops and developments. Honouring our extensive heritage is equally important, and this scheme will sit wonderfully alongside our Grade I Listed Town Hall as well as our historic ginnels and walkways.”

Photograph taken by Andy Marshall

Photograph courtesy of Touchstones Archives

 

Rochdale Borough Council puts help for the high street at the top of its Christmas list

 

Business Rates reduction on the cards

A radical proposal to revive the fortunes of Rochdale’s high street by dramatically reducing business rates is set to go before the council’s cabinet on 15 December.

The proposed pilot scheme in selected areas of Rochdale town centre will give new businesses moving into an empty shop a massive 80% discount on their business rates for the first year, with a further 50% cut in the second year.

Council Leader Richard Farnell, said: “This is a fantastic scheme which will be a huge boost to our high street and major step forward in reviving our town centre.

“Business rates are one of the single biggest obstacles facing new businesses and a key reason why many ultimately fail. Nationally over 31,000 independent shops failed in 2013 alone.

“We cannot reverse the decline on our high street - which is mirrored in towns up and down the country - without dealing with this critical issue. Big reductions in business rates will hopefully see new shops open, help bring more shoppers and breathe new life into the town centre.”

The scheme will cover 23 units which are currently empty on Yorkshire Street, South Parade, The Walk and Baillie Street. It is aimed at tackling the high vacancy rate, which is currently 13.5% nationally and 22.7% in Rochdale town centre.

Council in free parking move to drive up trade



The High Street Foundation welcomes the news of free parking across Rochdale Borough town centres


The council is set to introduce 3 hours free parking in all town centre car parks from April 2015 to help boost business.

The move will mean residents and visitors can enjoy free parking at any time for 3 hours when parking after 10am in town centre car parks.

The changes will come into force after 1 April 2015 and will affect Rochdale and Middleton, as Heywood town centre car parks are already free.

Retailers today welcomed the move. Phil Buckley, Manager of Denis Hope on Drake Street, said: “This is fantastic news for the borough and something retailers have been hoping would happen for a long time. It’s really inconvenient for people to make sure they have the right change when they’re popping into town for about 20 minutes. This is a real positive for the town and could attract new business and investment.”

Duncan Harrison, Assistant Manager of Beale’s Department Store, said: “Parking prices are an issue in all town centres and are one of the things that discourages people from shopping locally. This is a really positive move and will help bring more people into the town centre.”

The changes, which will apply in all town centre council car parks in the borough and include on street pay and display parking areas, will help give the High Street a much needed boost.

Council Leader Richard Farnell, said: “The high cost of parking is one of the things killing our local high streets. Our priority is to support and encourage businesses as much as we can and free parking is something we know will make a big difference. Successful businesses create thriving town centres and bring much needed jobs, and that’s we really need here in Rochdale.”

Rochdale MP, Simon Danczuk, said: "I've long recognised that car parking charges are a barrier stopping people coming in to our town centre and that's why I'm really pleased to see the council taking this course of action. Even though they're operating under very tight financial constraints, the council is doing all it can to support traders and help the town centre."

And visitors will have plenty of choice about where to park following the opening of the new 200 space car park on the former bus station site.

Resident Alexandra Cooper (21) from Rochdale said: “I usually only come in a couple of times a month for things like the bank but this would encourage me to come in more often. The current free after 3pm is too late to come in and go shopping.”

Elizabeth Baker, also from Rochdale, said: “I come in once or twice a week for a mooch around and think this is a good policy by the council. They should be encouraging people to come in to town.”

New location for Rochdale Market



The Rochdale Market will move to a new, more prominent location.



Rochdale Market, currently located in the Exchange Shopping Centre is set to move to a prominent new location in the New Year, adjacent to the new bus station, town centre Metrolink stop and Milton Street West car park.

 

The announcement comes 15 months after the council took over the running of the market to save it from closure when new owners took over the management of the Exchange Shopping Centre.

 

Mark Widdup, Director of Economy and Environment, said:

 

“The council has been paying substantial rent to keep the market where it is and can’t continue to fund something which is losing a significant amount of money and is clearly not commercially viable.

 

“We held a public consultation on the market earlier this year and the overwhelming response from our residents was that it was too far away from transport links, so this move is an obvious first step to help create the successful market we all want. In the longer term, we want to put an outside market on the Butts as part of the river re-opening scheme but this interim arrangement will test if a market can work closer to public transport.”

 

The current market is set to close on Saturday 17 January. The council are considering a number of options for the new market, which is expected to open by operating three or four days a week and be run by an independent operator.

 

It is hoped that many of the existing traders will move from their current location onto the new site, but the council is also looking to attract new traders to create a more diverse retail offer.   

 

Council leader, Councillor Richard Farnell added:

 

“We now have a great opportunity to place the market at the heart of the town centre, alongside excellent transport links and the proposed town centre east development. Every successful town centre needs a strong market and we are confident that this change is a significant first step in achieving this.”

 

If anybody would be interested in opening a stall on the new Rochdale Market, email derek.mack@rochdale.gov.uk.

Christmas Message from Margaret Smith - Rochdale Town Centre Chaplain

Dear Members of the Borough High Street Foundation

 

To support our Town Centre this Christmas a TOWN CENTRE CAROL SERVICE is being held on Saturday 13^th December at 3pm in The Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre (in the former T. J. Hughes Store). This is being planned by the Town Centre Chaplaincy with the support of the Town Centre Management Group and the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre.

 

You are invited to join us in this special Christmas Celebration along with all the shoppers in our Town. It is apprecaited that this is a very busy time for everyone but if you can attend you will be most welcome. If you have a special christmas message for our Town then please send it to me preferably at my email address revmesmith@gmail.com by the Thursday 11^th December and it can be incorporated into the service. It would help if you can confirm your attendance or that of a representative though this is not essential. 

 

May I take this opportunity to send you and your staff a very special Christmas Blessing

 

Yours

Margaret Smith

 

Margaret Smith

Town Centre Chaplain