ROCHDALE
BOROUGH HIGH STREET FOUNDATION
Thursday 19 March
2015, 6.00pm - 7.15pm
Number One
Riverside
A G E N D A
|
1.
|
Welcome from
the Chair & Vice Chair
|
Paul
Clark / Greg Couzens
|
|
2.
|
Progress
Update
|
Mark
Widdup
|
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3.
|
River
Re-opening – Meet the Contractors
|
River
Team / VBA Limited
|
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4.
|
Rochdale Town
Centre Consultation Feedback
|
Gary
Davies – RDA
|
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5.
|
Rochdale Town
Centre Pilot Business Rates Reduction Scheme
|
Jonathan
Hindle - RDA
|
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6.
|
Rochdale Town
Centre Management Membership Scheme
|
Mark
Foxley - RTCMCo
Nosheen
Sadaf – GM Chamber
|
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7.
|
Open Forum
Training
Initiatives
Retail
REvolution
Healthy
Workplaces Initiative
|
Jude
Honeyman
Martin
Ballard
Amy
Allport & Shirley Waller – Link4Life
|
|
8.
|
Time & Date
of Next Meeting
Tuesday
21 April 2015, 6.00pm – 7.30pm, Number One Riverside.
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ROCHDALE BOROUGH HIGH STREET FOUNDATION
Wednesday 21
January 2015, 6.00pm - 7.15pm
Number One
Riverside
A G E N D A
Refreshments
will be served on arrival
1.
|
Welcome from
the Chair & Vice Chair
|
Paul
Clark / Greg Couzens
|
2.
|
Progress
Update including Rochdale Markets with Q&A
|
Mark
Widdup
|
3.
|
2014
Achievements and Future Priorities
|
Gary
Davies - RDA
|
4.
|
Rochdale Town
Centre Pilot Business Rates Reduction Scheme
|
Jonathan
Hindle - RDA
|
5.
|
Rochdale Town
Centre Management
|
Mark
Foxley
|
6.
|
Open Forum
Hopwood
Hall College Student Graphic Design Project
Rochdale
Diversity Awards
|
Jude
Honeyman
Zulf
Ahmed
|
7.
|
Time &
Date of Next Meeting
3 Year
Anniversary Visioning Session
Thursday
19 March 2015, 5.30pm – 7.30pm, Number One Riverside.
|
|
Rochdale Borough High Street Foundation
Wednesday 19 November 2014, 6.00pm – 7.15pm
Reception Room, Rochdale Town Hall
NOTES OF M E E T I N G
No.
|
ITEM
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1.
|
Welcome
·
Paul Clark & Greg
Couzens welcomed all in attendance.
·
Apologies were received
from Mark Widdup- Executive Director, Rochdale MBC.
·
Susan Ayres – Economic
Affairs Manager, Rochdale MBC was in attendance on behalf of Mark Widdup.
|
2.
|
Progress Update
Susan
Ayres provided a progress update on behalf of Mark Widdup:
Rochdale
Business Awards 2014
·
The 4th Annual Business Awards were held
this month and over 100 businesses submitted entries – the most entrants
received to date.
·
The Awards Ceremony was held at Rochdale Town Hall
and this event is funded entirely through sponsorship and ticket sales.
·
There were 10 categories this year and several High
Street Foundation Members were Finalists and given a special mention to
including:
Chantilly – Winner – Best High Street
Retailer
Northern Employment Services – Winner
– Skills & Workforce Development
The Flower & The Glory – Finalist
– Best High Street Retailer
The Asia – Finalist – Best High Street
Retailer
Greg Couzens – Finalist – Business Man of the
Year
Dr Pamela Coates – Finalist – Business
Woman of the Year
Liz White – Finalist – Business Woman of
the Year
Aldi
·
Aldi have submitted plans for a new store to open on
Mellor Street.
·
The popular chain has applied to build a store on the
former Carter Brothers Site, just past the Asda supermarket which has been
empty for almost a decade.
·
The plans include 113 car parking spaces and is
expected to create 40 local jobs.
Pound Land
·
Pound Land have moved into a bigger store in the
Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre – they have opened a huge store in the
former HMV unit.
Former Crescent
Hotel
·
Works currently nearing completion on the former
Crescent Hotel.
·
The building was subject to a notice requiring
improvement and when the owner was unable to comply the Council used powers
provided by S215 of the Town and Country Planning Act to carry out work in default.
Morrisons Local
·
Morrisons Local will be opening early 2015 in the
former Nile Night Club – Number One Drake Street.
Car
Parking Charges
·
Members are currently looking at various options for
boroughwide parking charges over the Christmas period and also in the longer
term. Further details will be announced soon.
Heywood
& Middleton MP Liz McKinnes
·
Liz McKinnes has been appointed as the new MP for
Middleton & Heywood.
·
Liz has expressed an interested in attending the High
Street Foundation meetings but has sent apologies tonight due to commitments
in Westminster.
Christmas Lights
Switch On Events
·
The Christmas Lights Switch On events in Heywood
& Middleton were held last Saturday. Both were extremely well attended.
·
The snow globe in Middleton proved very popular, and
there was a laser display in Heywood.
·
Rochdale and Littleborough are having their switch on
events this Saturday 22 Nov.
Superfast
Broadband
·
8 Local Authorities across Greater Manchester are
contributing to upgrading broadband cabinets in business locations in the
borough. BT are doing the infrastructure work but all businesses are
encouraged to get the best deal they can, shopping around with all Internet
Service Providers.
·
The scheme will be launched early in 2015 and you can
find out when you can expect to receive superfast broad band on the website: www.get-ditigal-faster.info/home
Q&A
Q.
Michelle Buxton asked when the vinyl graphic which came loose and was removed
on Drake Street will be replaced, as the hoarding is now getting damaged?
A.
Susan Ayres agreed to look into this.
ACTION: RMBC to
address the empty hoarding on Drake Street and replace Vinyl Graphic.
|
3.
|
Temporary Car
Parks and former ‘Black Box’ site
Gary
Davies from the RDA provided a presentation update:
·
The new taxi rank on River Street is now open
(opposite the Bus Station) – members of the HSF were asked to promote this to
help raise awareness to customers.
·
Milton Street is now complete and has become two-way.
·
New car park opened on former site of St Andrews
church.
·
Demolition works of the old bus station / black box
are now complete and almost all rubble has been removed.
·
The old bus station site will create a new car park
and be accessible from both Penn Street and Smith Street and will be open on
28 November.
·
The former ‘black box’ site will be tarmaced and
provide footpaths across the site.
·
Materials such as the demolition hoardings will be
recycled for the new site.
·
The scheme is only temporary until the new
development takes place therefore is being planned to a minimal budget.
The
High Street Foundation members expressed their disappointment with the
temporary Black Box proposals and asked for more consideration to be given to
the plans.
Q&A
Q. Paul Clark asked how long is ‘temporary’?
A.
Until the Genr8 works start – a planning application is expected for the New
Year.
Q. Paul Clark asked whether a projector can be added
or something similar to inject some colour?
A.
Martin Ballard will be projecting images from the side of the Regal Moon as
part of the Reviving the Art Beat Project starting in December.
Q. Greg Couzens asked for an update on the Wheatsheaf
Shopping Centre entrance.
A lot of people don’t realise the lift in the
Wheatsheaf Centre on Baillie St entrance is still in use – lots of customers
complaining about access into the town centre – can this be promoted?
A.
This will be fed back to the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre and Susan Ayres
reminded people that the free Shuttle Bus around the town centre is still
running.
ACTION:
Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre to promote access to Baillie Street elevator.
Q: When will the steps at the side of the old McDonalds
unit be complete?
A:
Work will be complete in the next few weeks.
|
4.
|
Restoring the
Roch
Laura
Hodson and Tony Callaghan presented the revised timetable for the River
reopening:
·
The Council approved a revised scheme for the River
Re-opening on 27 October.
·
The revised scheme will be submitted to Heritage
Lottery Funds on 08 December.
·
A decision from Heritage Lottery Funding is expected
before Christmas.
·
The planned project start date is 16 February and
works will take between 40-50 weeks.
·
The aim is to have the river completed for Christmas
2015.
·
Laura is organising a Launch Event during April and
would like to invite members of the High Street Foundation to attend this.
Q&A
C. There is a foul smell from the river near
Touchstones – what will the smell be like once the river is opened?
A.
Tony said he would investigate this but assured the HSF it is unlikely to be
sewage. The flowing water will not smell once the scheme is completed.
Q. Greg Couzens asked what have we lost with the
revised scheme?
A.
There will be one less opening, however the Restoring the Roch Team want to
guarantee the parts which are opened will be reopened to its original
context.
Q. Paul Clark asked what the Urban Space funding has
been spent on?
A.
Each Township had a share of this money and the Council can share a report on
how these funds have been spent.
ACTION: Report to
be shared on Urban Space Funds.
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5.
|
Small Business
Saturday
Andrew
Bradwell provided a presentation on Small Business Saturday – being held on 6th
December:
·
Ruth Pringle from Pringle Accountants is organising
an Open for Business event at
Number One Riverside on the day between 10am – 1pm.
·
There will be a range of experts providing free
advice to small businesses and the event will be opened by Simon Danczuk, MP
for Rochdale.
·
Blue Orchid have been running a competition to find Rochdale’s Hidden Business Gem and
the chance to win an iPad mini.
·
21 businesses have been shortlisted and voting is now
open, with over 700 votes already cast.
·
Voting closes on 05 December and the winning business
will be announced on the website Small Business Saturday.
·
You can vote for your favourite business on the
website: www.blueorchid.co.uk/rochdalesbs
·
A Business
Information Pack has been sent out to members of the High Street
Foundation providing tips and ideas how to get involved in Small Business
Saturday and this is also available to download from the website: www.rochdale.gov.uk/smallbizsaturday
·
There are also a range of events and activities
taking place on the day including Window Dressing Competitions in each
Township, a Treasure Hunt Trail in Littleborough and a free hog roast on
production of a receipt for £10 spent within small businesses in the
Pennines, Santa’s Reindeers in Rochdale town centre and shopping vouchers in
Middleton.
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6.
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OPEN FORUM
Reviving the Art
Beat
·
Martin Ballard has been working with Rochdale Council
to launch “Reviving the Art Beat” which will be a month long exhibition in
Rochdale town centre showcasing the best artists from around the borough in
all forms of art.
·
An art gallery will open at 19 Baillie Street at the
end of November and local artists, photographers, sculptors etc can display
their art in here.
·
There will be hoardings from the Black Box site made
into a cube and decorated by local artists.
·
Along with a lumen projector that will be based on
the former black box site and will project art images onto the side of the
Regal Moon.
·
Artists can email their photo’s, pictures, paintings
etc to be projected in the town.
·
For more information please contact Martin Ballard on
Tel: 01706 551200 or Email: martin@redcapemarketing.co.uk
Wheatsheaf
Christmas Cinema
·
The former Works unit is being turned into a 75 seat
cinema opening throughout December showing Christmas films.
·
Film times:10am & 4pm daily – spend £10 in the
Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre and receive free entry or tickets cost £3.
Christmas Events
in Rochdale Town Centre
·
The Rochdale Town Centre Christmas Lights Switch On
will be held at 5pm on Saturday 22 November.
·
The Lantern Parade will proceed the Switch On leaving
at 3.30pm from the top of Yorkshrie Street and involving 100 primary school
children.
·
Entertainment will take place on the main stage
located on The Butts between 4pm – 5pm with performances from Britain’s Got
Talent boy band “The Mend” and Littleborough singer and X-factor star “Danny
Dearden” .
·
The lights will be switch on by the Mayor of Rochdale
and players from the Rochdale Hornets Rugby League, followed by a spectacular
firework display.
·
Santa’s Reindeers will be flying into Rochdale on
Saturday 6th December between 11am – 3pm and Father Christmas will
be in his grotto in Touchstones.
·
Christmas Markets this year will be held in the
Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre from 18 – 24 December.
Rochdale Karting
·
A giant indoor go-karting arena is opening on
Gorrells Way, Rochdale.
·
This new business will provide a fantastic leisure
opportunity for residents and visitors to Rochdale Borough.
·
Team Karting is expected to be opened in December and
corporate packages are available to members of the High Street Foundation.
·
For more information please visit the website:
Birtle Brook
Design Award
·
Birtle Brook village and The Pavillion Restaurant in
Rochdale has won a national design award.
·
The scheme was designed by High Street Foundation
Chairman Paul Clark.
Global
Entrepreneurship Week
·
17 – 21 November is Global Entrepreneurship week and
to celebrate the Council are holding a business event on 20 November 6pm –
8pm at N1R - How I Started Up by
fitness guru and author of “The Father of Fitness” – Ken Heathcote.
·
There is also a range of free business support
available to businesses within Rochdale Borough.
·
Blue Orchid support businesses under 3 year.: Tel:
0161 341 0245 www.blueorchid.co.uk
·
The Business Growth Hub support ambitious businesses
looking to grow. Tel: 0161 359 3050 www.businessgrowthhub.com
·
A new government website has also been published for
businesses which has a host of useful information: www.greatbusiness.gov.uk
Town Centre
Chaplain Update
·
There will be an Angel Tree in the Wheatsheaf
Shopping Centre which people can have an angel on in memory of someone who
has died.
·
All donations will to go Spring Hill Hospice and
Gaddum Bereavement Services.
·
Carol Services will be held in the Wheatsheaf
Shopping Centre on 13th Dec and N1R on 21st & 24th
Dec at 1pm.
·
There will also be a Nativity Concert in the Rochdale
Exchange on 21st Dec.
·
Anybody who would like to get involved should contact
Margaret Smith Email: revmesmwith@gmail.com
|
Any Other Business
Car Parking
·
Greg Couzens wanted to raise the issue of over
zealous car parking attendance and an increase in tickets issued around the
Baillie Street area.
·
Car parking is prohibited between Subway and
Weatherspoons so motorists should not park here if they do not want to
receive a ticket.
High Street
Foundation Views
·
Greg Couzens stressed for the need for the Council to
listen to the views of the High Street Foundation, as these are the voices
from the businesses in our towns.
·
The Chair & Vice Chair would like to set up a
small committee / steering group of High Street Foundation members to meet
regularly in the New Year between meetings and with the Council / Rochdale
Development Agency.
·
Greg Couzens raised awareness of Oldham Town Centre’s
regeneration scheme which looks very impressive, and the need for Rochdale to
up our game in order to compete with our neighbouring towns and their
regeneration schemes.
| |
7.
|
Time & Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 21 January 2015, 6pm
– 7.15pm, Number One Riverside.
|
Wednesday 17 September 2014, 6.00pm – 7.15pm
Reception Room, Rochdale Town Hall
No.
|
ITEM
|
1.
|
Welcome
Apologies were received
from the Chair – Paul Clark.
Greg Couzens ( Vice
Chair), chaired the meeting in Paul’s absence and welcomed all in attendance.
Greg thanked the Royal
Toby for providing the prize for tonight’s Business Card Draw – Sunday Lunch
for 2 x people at the Royal Toby.
|
2.
|
Progress Update
Mark
Widdup – Director of Economy & Environment provided a progress update:
Rochdale Feel
Good Festival 2014
The Festival returned for the 7th year running at the end of August and was attended by well over 10,000 people over the weekend. Headline artists included Scouting for Girls and celebrity chef Ainsley Harriett.
The event is an excellent way to promote Rochdale town centre and provides an enjoyable, feel good experience for those attending.
Mark Widdup is preparing a report for Members to look at funding the event for future years.
The Feel Good Festival video was show to the High Street Foundation with the permission of Red Cape Marketing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2xnzbeQB2c
New
Businesses Opening in Rochdale Town Centre
Tetrosyl
·
Europe’s largest manufacturer of car care products
has acquired New Gate House for offices and a show room.
·
The company will start moving in towards the end of
the year and will have around 150 staff located in the building, some of
these will be new jobs created.
Morrisons
·
Morrisons have also confirmed they will be moving
into No. 1 Drake Street (formerly the Nile nightclub on the corner of Smith
Street / Drake Street) and opening a Morrisons Local store early 2015.
·
They will be creating 20 jobs in the store itself.
·
Both schemes are fantastic news for the Borough and
show clearly that national companies have confidence in our town.
Heywood
& Middleton Updates:
Jim Dobbin MP
·
Tribute to Jim Dobbin who was MP for Heywood &
Middleton since 1997. Jim was in Poland on a Council of Europe trip when he
died suddenly. He was a very popular and well liked MP who will be greatly
missed.
·
His funeral will take place this weekend and the
family have invited people to join them – details are available on the
Council’s website: www.rochdale.gov.uk
Middleton Grand
Day Out
·
A fun day was held in Middleton town centre on
Saturday to celebrate Middleton’s heritage as part of the Heritage Open Days
weekend.
·
Middleton has a golden cluster of 4 historic
buildings and a land train was hired to take people on a tour around
Middleton and learn more about its history and one of is famous sons - local
architect, Edgar Wood.
·
The event was organised by the Middleton Town Team
and other activities including a Teenage Market on the Middleton Gardens,
Merlin’s magic shows, face painting, children’s rides and entertainment along
with a vintage fire engine and Victorian themed games outside the Middleton
Arena.
·
Over 1,500 people attended the event and the Town
Team are looking at now making this an annual event.
Heritage Open
Days Weekend
·
This weekend was Heritage Open Days and over 30
historic buildings across the Borough were open for free to the public to
access.
Rochdale Business
Awards 2014
·
There is still time to submit your entry for this
year’s Rochdale Business Awards – the closing date for entries is Friday
03 October and the Awards evening will take place at Rochdale Town Hall
on Friday 07 November.
·
Range of categories including; Business of the Year,
Business Man / Woman of the Year, Start Up Business and High St Retailer.
·
To submit your entry please visit the website: www.rochdalebusinessawards.co.uk
Rochdale Business
Exhibition
·
Rochdale Online have organised this year’s annual
Rochdale Business Exhibition at Rochdale Town Hall being held next Wednesday
24 September, 4pm – 7pm.
·
The event is free to
attend, and there will be over 40 local businesses exhibiting along with the
opportunity to network and meet other businesses.
·
You can register to attend
the event here: www.rochdalebusinessexhibition.co.uk
Rochdale Town
Centre Demolitions
·
The demolition site is coming down at a fast pace and
on schedule.
·
The old bus station will become a temporary car park
with public realm.
River Roch
·
Confidential discussions are ongoing with Heritage
Lottery regarding reopening of the river.
Rochdale Market
·
Rochdale Council are committed to relocating the
market and currently looking at options with Members to take the market
forward.
Q&A:
Q. Brian
Sutcliffe asked whether the idea to create an outdoor food court was still on
the cards?
a.
The food court does not fit within the temporary plans, but is being looked
at as a component for the longer term plans and also as an option for the
markets relocation.
C.
Greg reported that Drake St traders have been complaining about the car park
at the back of Drake Street, the general untidiness, weeds, litter etc and
asked for the Council to look into this.
|
3.
|
Introduction from
the new Rochdale Town Centre Manager
·
Mark Foxley introduced himself as the new Rochdale
Town Centre Manager.
·
Mark has been a businessman in the town for the past
15 years and is delighted to take up this new role.
·
He is committed to improving the town and is looking
to set up sub groups to focus on 4 key priority areas: Marketing,
Environment, Safety and Funding.
·
For more information please contact Mark directly on
Tel: 01706 926676 or Email: mark@rochdaletcm.co.uk
|
4.
|
Rochdale Online
Department Store
·
Pauline Journeaux delivered a presentation on the
Rochdale Online Department Store which was launched 3 months ago and already
has 37 local retailers from across the borough selling their products on the
site.
·
There are currently around 1,500 products listed on
the site and it is free for local retailers to list their products on here.
·
Rochdale online do all of the marketing and the
retailer is only charged when the product sells (12.5% of the cost of the
sale plus VAT).
·
The onus is on the retailer to list their products
and to dispatch the items once sold.
·
The scheme is helping those retailers who do not have
an e-commerce presence and also offers a click and collect scheme from the
Feel Good Café.
·
Pauline urged people to shop local and use the site
to support local businesses.
·
Any businesses who are interested in using the site
should contact Pauline on Tel: 01706 523 583 Email: store@rochdaleonline.co.uk
·
You can visit the Online Department Store here: http://store.rochdaleonline.co.uk/
Q. Greg Couzens
asked for clarification on the VAT and Fee charges.
A.
The retailer is charged 12.5% fee on the cost of the sale plus VAT (VAT is only
charged on the cost of sale fee).
|
5.
|
Business
Protection & Defence
·
Gordon Haigh from Molesworths delivered a
presentation on Business Protection and Defence.
·
Molesworths have been practicing in Rochdale for
nearly 175 years and can provide a range of legal support and advice to
businesses.
·
The biggest problems facing small businesses are cash
flow and compliance and there are now a myriad of regulations small
businesses have to comply with including: Health & Safety, Food Safety,
Trading Standards, Fire Assessments etc.
·
Business owners can find themselves vulnerable to
prosecution if they don’t comply with these rules and regulations.
·
Gordon provided examples of regulation breaches and
the types of fines businesses can face.
·
Every business premises in the UK must have a Fire
Risk Assessment otherwise could face a fine.
·
Similarly, all food businesses must have a food
safety management strategy in place.
·
If you would like more information or advice
regarding protecting your business please contact Gordon on Tel: 01706 356666
or Email: ghaigh@molesworths.co.uk
|
6.
|
OPEN FORUM
Rochdale Literature
& Ideas Festival
·
Margaret Smith – Town Centre Chaplain promoted the
Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival which is taking place between 24 –
26 October.
·
The full programme of events is listed on the
website: www.rochdaleliteraturefestival.co.uk
·
Plans are already in place to organise next year’s
festival and anyone interested in sponsorship packages should contact
Margaret on Tel: 07845 767 591 or Email: revmesmith@gmail.com
Headway
·
Sharon Halfpenny from AST Hampsons has set up a
charity – Headway to support people in the Rochdale & Bury areas who have
suffered from head injuries.
·
Sharon’s son was attacked walking down the street at
the age of 17 and suffered brain damage. Sharon and her family were
unprepared for what happened and how to cope.
·
The aim of the charity is to help families in Rochdale
and Bury deal with the trauma of head injuries and provide help and support.
·
Headway is being launched on 9th October
at The Royal Toby and members of the High Street Foundation are invited to
attend.
·
Sharon expressed thanks to the Royal Toby for donating
the room hire for free and to Rochdale Online for providing the website free
of charge.
·
If anybody would like more information please contact
Sharon on Tel: 01706 653322 Email: shalfpenny@asthampsons.co.uk
Small Business
Saturday – 06 December
·
A sub group of the High Street Foundation has been
set up to lead on organising activities for Small Business Saturday and is
meeting on Monday 21 September.
·
Frances will provide an update at the next meeting
but if anybody would like to join the sub group or for more information
please contact Frances directly on Tel: 01706 926700 or Email: frances.fielding@rochdale.gov.uk
Rotary Club “Pop Up
Art Exhibition”
·
John
Kay announced details of a Pop Up Art Exhibition organised by the Rotary Club
opening on Saturday 20 September in the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre.
·
The
Exhibition of Geoff Butterworth Paintings will be opened by the Mayor of
Rochdale at 10am and will remain open until Friday 31 October 2014.
·
This
is a Charitable Exhibition to raise funds for the NSPCC.
|
7.
|
Business Card
Draw
·
The winner of tonight’s Business Card Draw was Colin
Meredith from Rochdale Style Magazine.
·
Thanks once again to the Royal Toby for donating the
prize.
|
8.
|
Time & Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 19 November, 6pm –
7.15pm, Rochdale Town Hall.
|
ROCHDALE BOROUGH HIGH STREET FOUNDATION
Wednesday 17
September, 6.00pm - 7.15pm
Reception Room,
Rochdale Town Hall
A G E N D A
1.
|
Welcome from
the Chair
|
Paul
Clark
| |
2.
|
Progress
Update
|
Mark
Widdup
| |
3.
|
Introduction
from the new Rochdale Town Centre Manager
|
Mark
Foxley
| |
4.
|
Rochdale
Online Department Store
|
Pauline
Journeaux
| |
5.
|
Business
Protection
Presentation
delivered by Molesworths, Bright, Clegg Solicitors
|
Gordon
Haigh
| |
6.
|
Open Forum
Rochdale
Literature & Ideas Festival
Headway
Small
Business Saturday update
|
Margaret
Smith
Sharon
Halfpenny
Frances
Fielding
| |
7.
|
Time &
Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday
19 November, 6pm – 7.15pm, Number One Riverside
|
||
Rochdale Borough High Street Foundation
Wednesday 06 August 2014, 6.00pm – 7.30pm
Number One Riverside
NOTES OF M E E T I N G
|
No.
|
ITEM
|
1.
|
Welcome
Paul Clark & Greg Couzens opened the meeting
and welcomed all in attendance.
A special welcome to Councillor Richard Farnell -
Leader of Rochdale Borough Council.
|
2.
|
Tackling Youth
Unemployment
David
Broome from Rochdale Council gave a presentation on initiatives the Council
are leading to support youth employment:
·
The Creative
Employment Programme is helping to create employment opportunities for
young unemployed people in Rochdale Borough within the creative industries
sector.
·
So far, 22 jobs for young people have been filled in
creative businesses including The Rochdale Pioneers Museum, FMC Design Factory,
Rochdale Town Centre Management Company, Backdoor Music Project, M6 Theatre,
Skylight Circus and Cartwheel Arts.
·
A jobs fair was held in March for young people
advertising all the creative posts available and a 2 week employability
training course was offered which included CV writing, team building and
communication skills.
·
Those who completed this training were guaranteed an
interview for the jobs they wanted to apply for.
·
Working with Rochdale Training Association, the 22
young people now with jobs will also undertake an NVQ qualification.
·
The Creative Employment Project will create 60 jobs
in total during 2014.
·
Any creative employers in the Borough who may have
posts to fill and want to take on a young person through this scheme can
receive a wage subsidiary to pay the young person.
·
The business must fit within the arts council
footprint and the young person must be aged under 25 and have been unemployed
for more than 6 months to access this programme.
·
Jobs With
Training
is another initiative which will create 25 jobs for young unemployed people
within any type of business sector within Rochdale borough.
·
Again, funding is available to the business (must
have less than 250 employees) to contribute towards the wage costs.
·
David’s key message was to please give young people a
chance.
For
more information please contact David directly on Tel: 01706 925117 or Email:
david.broome@rochdale.gov.uk
|
3.
|
Q&A with the Leader of Rochdale Borough Council
Paul Clark read out a question submitted by Dale
Mulgrew via Twitter:
Q. Is there a Plan B
for Town Centre East? The previous leadership had a reluctance to evolve,
even under changing circumstances:
A. Cllr Farnell
responded that the development for Town Centre East is evolving and rather
than just being a retail offer, this is changing to become a mixed scheme
including retail, leisure and entertainment.
There is a legal
agreement in place with the developers, Genr8 and Cllr Farnell is pleased
that good progress is being made.
Elaine
Simons of EJS Marketing asked the following question:
Q. There was a
fantastic article about Rochdale which made the Guardian newspaper over the
weekend which talked about Rochdale reversing the decline, the towns
heritage, our strong manufacturing sector and opportunities to create a mini
Silicone valley.
We all have a
collective responsibility to talk the town up and the Comms Team at Rochdale
Council do a great job. How does the Leader think Rochdale can further
promote itself on the national and local stage?
A. The Leader was
involved in setting up the Guardian article. The president of Rochdale
Hornets – Paul Ormerod invited the Guardian Editor to a meeting and Cllr
Farnell took him on a tour around the borough and introduced him to some of
the major employers.
One of the
biggest complaints the Leader receives is from people saying they are sick of
the negative headlines the town attracts.
Rochdale needs to
fight back, we do have a bright future and we need to see more of these types
of positive articles and constantly be feeding positive news stories.
The perception of
the borough is very different to the reality and we need to reverse this.
Pamela
Ashton asked the following question:
Q. Heritage venue
statistics for visitors all across the UK are at an all time high. Our
unique opportunity to go ahead with opening of the River Roch
will contribute more wealth and a much needed positive image for
Rochdale. It is inconceivable that
this project does not come to fruition.
A perfect example is already on our own doorstep: The Pioneers
Museum now attracts annually, thousands of visitors from near and far.
Please convince
everyone in this room why you think this project should not continue.
A. The Leader
stated that he does not disagree with the scheme, but that he has to be
realistic and that Rochdale Council has to make £52m savings in the next 2
years. Therefore all areas of expenditure are being reviewed, which includes
the River.
Painful decisions
will need to be taken on all areas of service delivery. To put this into
context, Sheffield University undertook a study and although Rochdale Borough
is a deprived area, we have suffered a loss of £160 per head more than
councils in the South of England so these savings have to be made.
The river
re-opening is one of many projects the Council Cabinet Members will have to
look at and carry out a full cost analysis.
Greg
Couzens asked the following questions:
Q. Will funding earmarked from English Heritage for Rochdale Town and building grants for buildings over looking the river be lost if we don't open the river?
A. 60 – 90%
grants could be available to improve town centre buildings, but the Leader
confirmed that no money has yet been earmarked by English Heritage and in fact
no applications have even been submitted yet. RMBC Planning are currently
working up a scheme to submit and the Leader hopes that this is successful.
With regards to
the Town Hall, again a bid is currently being drawn up and this will need to
be submitted to English Heritage.
Q. Can the Leader
confirm that a unanimous vote in favour of the River Re opening by Rochdale's
High Street Foundation at its recent meeting is the best indication of
overwhelming business backing for the scheme that will encourage new
investment and new business premises in adjacent empty properties on South
Parade.
A. The Leader has
heard the views of the High Street Foundation and came here to listen. He has
received dozens of emails from people regarding the river, some in favour and
some not and although he hasn’t responded to them all yet, he promises to do
so once a decision has been taken.
The Leader stated
that the Council are working incredibly hard to proceed with the project but
stressed again the major financial situation the Council is faced with.
A decision on the
river will be made by Members later this month.
Q. John Kay asked
a question about creating a Youth Zone in Rochdale Town Centre:
A.
The Director for Education is leading on this.
Paul
Clark thanked the Leader for attending which was greatly appreciated, and for
participating with the Q&A. The Leader will be welcome to attend any
future meetings of the High Street Foundation.
|
3.
|
OPEN FORUM
Rochdale Style
Magazine Charity Ball – Saturday 13 December
·
Rochdale Style Magazine are celebrating 10 years this
year and holding a Charity Ball at Rochdale Town Hall on Saturday 13
December.
·
Tickets cost £50 and include a 3-course meal, live
music and entertainment.
·
Anyone who would like to buy a ticket, please contact
Colin Meredith by email: colin@rochdalestyle.com
Small Business
Saturday – 06 December
·
Small Business Saturday is a national campaign backed
by Central Government and a national radio, TV and bill board campaign and
will be held this year on Saturday 06 December.
·
Last year the Council co-ordinated a number of
initiatives across the borough including Cash Mobs, Christmas window dressing
competitions judged by the two MP’s on the day and independent shopping
crawls.
·
This year the Council are keen to work with any small
businesses who want to get involved and help promote this.
·
Frances Fielding would like to set up a sub group of
any members from the High Street Foundation who would like to get involved.
·
Please contact Frances directly on Tel: 01706 926700
or Email: frances.fielding@rochdale.gov.uk
Headway
·
AST Hampsons are setting up a Headway Branch which is
a charity supporting people in Rochdale Borough with brain damage. The
support will include a social networking group and will be something positive
for the area.
·
Anyone who would like to get involved should contact
Sharon Halfpenny from AST Hampsons: shalfpenny@asthampsons.co.uk
Redcape Marketing
·
Martin Ballard will be leaving his post as Centre
Manager at the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre to become Managing Director at Red
Cape Marketing.
·
Debbie Hernon, former Rochdale Town Centre Manager
will take up the role of Wheatsheaf Centre Manager on Monday 11 August.
·
An announcement will be made regarding the new
Rochdale Town Centre Manager next Friday.
·
Red Cape Marketing provide all of your event and
marketing requirements and Martin showed a video of some of the events Red
Cape have managed including Dale Con and Hud Fest in Huddersfield which can
be viewed on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SFnviLhTdk
·
For more information please contact Martin directly: martin@redcapemarketing.co.uk
Heritage Open
Days 11 – 14 September
·
Julian Jefferson from Link 4 Life discussed Heritage
Open Days which is a national campaign taking place between 11 – 14
September.
·
Lots of activities will be happening across the
borough and over 30 heritage buildings will be open over the weekend,
culminating with Middleton’s Grand Day Out – a fun day being held on Saturday
13 September which will include a land train taking visitors on a tour of
Middleton’s Golden Cluster.
·
Leaflets promoting Heritage Open Days within Rochdale
Borough will be coming out soon.
Mayor’s Charity
Country Fete
·
John Kennedy – Chair of the Mayor’s Charity Committee
promoted a Charity Country Fete being organised on Saturday 21 September,
10am – 4pm at Rochdale Riding Club, Roch Valley Way.
·
The family orientated fun day will include a dog
show, racing, bake and cake judged by Natasha Brown from Brown’s handcrafted
cakes, a falcon display, archery, bouncy castle and lots more.
·
Full details are on the website: www.rochdalecountryfete.co.uk
·
John also has brought along jars of Mayoral Marmalde
which are on sale for £1.50 – all proceeds to go to the Mayors Charity Fund.
·
You can also sample a Mayoral Marmalde Cocktail at
the Flying Horse Hotel curtosey of Ben Boothman!
|
4.
|
Any Other
Business
M&S
·
Greg Couzens publicly thanked Nick Bluer the previous
store manager at M&S who over the last 12 months has helped turn around
the Rochdale store into the 4th best performing M&S in the
country.
·
Nick has been transferred to help open the largest
M&S in the country in Stoke-on-Trent, and the Rochdale Borough High
Street Foundation wanted to wish him all the best and welcome the new store
manager, Graeme Fitchett to Rochdale.
|
5.
|
Time & Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 17 September, 6pm –
7.15pm, Number One Riverside.
|
Wednesday 09 July 2014, 6.00pm – 7.30pm
Rochdale Town Hall
NOTES OF M E E T I N G
No.
|
ITEM
|
ACTIONS
|
1.
|
Welcome
Paul Clark opened the meeting and welcomed all in
attendance.
| |
2.
|
Co-operative
Heritage Trails
Mathilde
Guerin from Rochdale Council delivered a presentation on the new Co-operative
Heritage trails and information leaflets she has helped produce:
·
The coop trails offer a series of guided walks taking
you to the co-operative buildings around Rochdale borough which have been
preserved and give information relating to these buildings.
·
The guides have been produced by a group of
volunteers who are passionate about the coop movement in Rochdale.
·
There are over 100 buildings which have been
identified so far and the scheme will help residents find out more about
these historic buildings and raise awareness of the co-operative history.
·
The guides are available to download here and will be
distributed to local public venues: www.rochdalepioneersmuseum.coop/coopheritagetrails
·
A special event is being held to launch the trails at
The Pioneers Museum on Saturday 19 July.
For
more information please contact Mathilde on Tel: 01706 924354 or Email: Mathilde.guerin@rochdale.gov.uk
| |
3.
|
Rochdale Town Centre Update with Q&A
John Searle from the RDA provided an update on
the Town Centre demolitions, highways and car parking. Key points raised:
·
Works have now started on
River Street and Smith Street Taxi Rank - due to be completed September /
October.
·
A pedestrian crossing will
be installed on Smith Street – this wasn’t originally designed in the scheme,
but will improve pedestrian safety – there are over 40 bus movements per hour
on Smith Street.
·
Milton Street will be made
two-way to allow access to Penn Street / Baillie Street car parks.
·
The former PCT site and
Vauxhall site are now car parks.
·
The demolition of the old
St Andrews Church and Broadwater Centre will be completed in August and will
create additional temporary car parking.
·
The old bus station has
now been demolished and the Black Box is progressing now quickly at a rate of
a floor per week.
·
Once
the Black Box / Bus Station demolition is complete, this will also create
additional car parking and footpath access into the town centre by December.
·
A
new entrance for the Wheatsheaf Centre along Baillie Street will be completed
early 2015 and will include two new lifts and escalators that take you to
each floor in the shopping centre.
·
The Council have a development agreement in place
with Genr8 who are in discussions with major retailers and leisure companies.
·
Genr8 will be submitting a planning application early
next year, with the plan to have developers on site by the end of 2015.
Q&A:
Q. Brian Sutcliffe asked when the new development works start, what
will happen to the car parks?
A. The car park will go near the old Broadwater Centre with 350 spaces
for shoppers.
Q. Debbie Hernon
raised a comment from traders regarding signage and access into the town
centre. When Metrolink works were underway there was additional signage but
now this is complete and with the new road layouts, it is difficult for
motorists to navigate their way around the town centre.
A. A signage
review for the whole town centre area is currently underway and covers as far
back as Sudden.
Debbie
Hernon requested for this to be addressed as a matter of priority and for
leaflets to be produced to give to businesses to hand out to customers.
Q. Greg Couzens
asked on behalf of Town Taxi’s how many taxi spaces will there be in the new
taxi rank?
A. There will be
space for 7 taxi’s.
Q. Pam Ashton
asked if retail will still be included in the new Town Centre East scheme?
A. Yes – the
scheme will include retail, leisure, food and drink, car parking, and
possibly a hotel. The residential market has collapsed so this is not being
considered at the moment.
Q. Brian
Sutcliffe asked where does the future of the market fit into the
re-development?
A. There are
discussions with Genr8 about including the market in the new scheme.
The public
consultation found the preferred location for the market is near to the
transport interchange.
Q. What are the timescales of the market moving out of the Exchange and is there a possibility there will be no market in Rochdale town centre for a period of time?
A. The Council
don’t want to be in a situation where we don’t have a market at all and are
committed to finding the right location and creating a thriving market in the
town centre.
Mark Widdup will
be taking a report to Members in the near future and agreed to keep market
traders informed of progress.
|
·
RDA to undertake Signage Review and circulate information leaflets to
local businesses.
· Market Traders to be kept informed of progress.
|
4.
|
Restoring the
River Roch
There
was a lengthy Q&A with regards to the River project:
The
Council need to save £51m over the next year and is having to look at all
Capital Projects across the borough including the Restoring the Roch scheme.
Mark Widdup confirmed no decision has yet been taken on the River and the
Council Cabinet members will need to make a decision in the next few weeks.
Q. A lot of money
has already been spent on the river, will this be taken into account when the
decision is made?
A. Members will
look at what has already been spent and what it will cost to spend on the river in the future. They will have to decide what is the best
decision for the residents.
Q. Can the
markets go on The Butts if the river doesn’t get re-opened?
A. We will know
better after the Council has taken a decision on the river.
C. Greg Couzen
stressed the river is one of the most important decisions to be taken with
regards to the regeneration of Rochdale town centre.
·
A show of hands indicated widespread support for the
project to go ahead and the members of the High Street Foundation asked how
they can have their voices listened to?
·
Karen Reynolds expressed her disappointment and
feelings that the High Street Foundation hasn’t made any impacts on the town
centre and that if the views of businesses are not being listened to, this
forum will become a talking shop.
·
Councillor Peter Williams – the Deputy Leader of
Rochdale Council urged everyone to exercise their opinions and believes the
High St Foundation has influenced Council policies and voices have been
heard.
·
Greg Couzens requested for a meeting to be held with
the Chair & Vice Chair of the High Street Foundation with the Leader of
the Council to put forward the views of the businesses on the River scheme.
·
Greg and Paul agreed to attend the meeting and feed
back to the High Street Foundation at the next meeting on 09 August.
|
·
Cllr Peter Williams agreed to facilitate a meeting between the Leader
and the Chair / Vice Chair of the Foundation regarding the River.
|
5.
|
Progress Update –
Mark Widdup
Mark
Widdup gave an overview of activities taking place:
Le Tour de France
·
Over 10,000 people came to watch Le Tour de France on
Blackstone Edge and a further 3,000 people watched the race live on the big
screen in Hare Hill Park and enjoyed the activities organised by the LEAF
group.
·
Delphine Greenhalgh congratulated the Council for all
their efforts and said the event was brilliantly organised and something
local residents
Hollingworth Lake Dragon Boat Race
·
Congratulations to the Rotary Club who
organised the first Dragon Boat
Race on Hollingworth Lake on Saturday 05 July.
·
19 Teams took part in the event and over
£10,000 was raised for Spring Hill Hospice.
An Evening
With Simon Weston OBE
·
Attended by over 300 businesses - fantastic
inspirational event.
·
Businesses were asked to sign up to the Armed Forces
Corporate Covenant Scheme – a pledge between businesses and the Armed Forces
to support serving and ex-forces personnel upon their return to civilian
life.
·
We are extremely proud to be leading the way in
Rochdale.
·
Thousands of people visited Heywood Town Centre last
weekend for the 6th Heywood 1940’s Day as part of National Armed
Forces week, and the event obtained national coverage in the Daily Mail.
·
Organised by the Heywood Business Group, the annual
event is firmly putting Heywood on the map and something residents and
businesses within Heywood are very proud of.
·
Pocket Visitor Guides have been produced for each
town centre and are being circulated to local shops, accommodation providers
and visitor attractions. They are also available online: www.visitrochdale.com
·
The guides include listings of the local shops,
places to eat & drink, local attractions and places to stay.
Middleton
Teenage Market
·
Middleton are now running a regular Teenage Market
which is giving young entrepreneurs the chance to test trade on a market stall.
·
The event also offers young performing artists the
chance to perform live in the town centre. It creates a great atmosphere and
is bringing in a younger audience into the town.
·
July is independent retailer month and local
retailers are being encouraged to apply for the Best Independent of the Year
competition.
·
The campaign is being run on social people and shops
can take part nominating themselves on the website: www.independentoftheyear.org
Cash Mobs
·
Cash mobs are being held in Rochdale Town Centre each
Wednesday at 12noon throughout July. All you need to do is meet on Yorkshire
Street outside the Exchange Shopping Centre and bring a fiver.
·
An independent shop is drawn from the hat and
everybody in the cash mob visits that shop and spends their fiver.
Rochdale
Online Department Store
·
Rochdale Online have also launched their online
department store which is providing a free e-commerce presence for local
retailers.
·
23 businesses have already signed up from across the
Borough, including Denis Hope, Sweet & Yummy Gifts and Kelsalls Books,
and over 800 products are listed on the site.
·
Open to any independent business in Rochdale borough
and is free of charge to list your items, the business is only charged if a
sale is made.
·
For more information please contact Pauline from
Rochdale Online on Tel: 01706 523583 or visit the website: http://store.rochdaleonline.co.uk/
·
The Festival will be returning for the 7th
year running in Rochdale town centre on Friday 29 & Saturday 30th
August.
·
Scouting for Girls will be the headline band and
Ainsley Harriet is this year’s celebrity chef.
·
There will be the outdoor market again and there are
opportunities for businesses to take a market stall. Preference will be given
to local traders.
·
For more information please contact Debbie Hernon at
Rochdale Town Centre Management on Tel: 01706 926676 or email: Debbie@rochdaletcm.co.uk
·
Debbie is also look for local businesses who can
donate prizes for the ‘Spot the Hot Rod’ competition.
| |
6.
|
Open Forum
Healthy
Workplaces Strategy
·
Fiona Brigg from Link4Life is developing a Health
& Wellbeing Strategy for Rochdale Borough.
·
She would like to consult with local businesses to
understand your needs of your staff and it can be any business from a one man
band to a large employer.
·
There is also a lot of help available to businesses
to get your workforce more active and access to health and well being
services.
·
For more information please contact Fiona on Tel:
01706 926247 or email: Fiona.brigg@link4life.org
Breast Feeding
Welcome Scheme
·
Ruth Bardlsey from Public Health gave a presentation
on breast feeding awareness.
·
A new breastfeeding welcome scheme is being launched
over the next few months with businesses to support breastfeeding mums.
·
Businesses who want to take part in the scheme will
receive a one-to-one advice session, an information pack and a sticker to
display in their shop window.
·
The scheme is being rolled out in 2 x stages, first
with public buildings e.g. libraries, N1R etc and then to local shops and
food and drink establishments.
·
It is also now unlawful to discriminate against
breastfeeding mums .
·
It is very simply to take part and we would urge
members of the High Street Foundation to sign up by contacting Ruth on Tel:
01706 927081 or Email: ruth.bardsley@rochdale.gov.uk
·
Daniel Turner is a Masters Student at the University
of Manchester and working with his colleagues, they are researching the
decline of the British High Street and looking at recommendations to reverse
this decline.
·
They would like to support Rochdale Town Centre in
their research.
·
The project will take a minimum of 6 months and the
High Street Foundation will receive a free report at the end.
O2 Priority
Moments
·
Anthony Pauls from O2 talked about the O2 Priority
Moments scheme.
·
O2 have 22million customers and Priority Moments is
an application used by their customers to give details of local deals /
offers.
·
O2 want to work with local businesses to place their
offers on the Priority Moments App.
·
It is a free marketing tool to compete against the
big businesses. All you have to do is provide the deal / offer and O2 will do
the rest to promote it.
·
For more information please contact Anthony by email:
Anthony.pauls@retail.o2.com
Rochdale Business
Awards
·
Carol Hopkins reminded everybody of the Rochdale
Business Awards and encourage people to apply: www.rochdalebusinessawards.co.uk
·
There is a category for Best High Street Business and
the closing date for entries is 03 October.
·
The Awards Ceremony will be held at Rochdale Town
Hall on 07 November and there will also be an After Show Party held at
Mango’s.
Business In The
Community
·
Peter Fearnley is a Business Connector for Rochdale
and he works with businesses to connect them with local projects within their
community.
·
Peter works for Greggs but has been seconded 2 days a
week to work for Business in the
Community which is part of the Prince’s Trust Charity.
·
His job is to find out where there is a need within
the community and match up businesses who may be able to get involved and
help.
·
Some of the projects he is currently working with are
Spring Hill Hospice, the Food Bank and a homeless charity. He will then
connect up businesses who may be able to for example provide marketing
support, specialist knowledge, financial advice etc.
·
Peter is keen to support youth unemployment and for
example meet businesses who may be able to offer mock interview training
sessions, work experience, team building etc.
·
For more information please contact Peter by email: peter.fearnley@bitcconnect.org
| |
7.
|
Time & Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 06 August, 6pm – 7.30pm, Number One Riverside.
|
ROCHDALE
BOROUGH HIGH STREET FOUNDATION
Wednesday 09 July,
6.00pm - 7.30pm
Rochdale Town
Hall
A G E N D A
Refreshments
will be served on arrival
6.00pm
|
Welcome from
the Chair & Vice Chair
|
Paul
Clark
Greg
Couzens
|
5mins
|
6.05pm
|
Co-operative
Heritage Trails
|
Mathilde
Guerin
Rochdale Council |
10mins
|
6.15pm
|
Rochdale Town
Centre Update with Q&A:
Demolitions,
Highways Works & Car Parks
|
John
Searle
Rochdale
Development Agency
|
20mins
|
6.35pm
|
Progress
Update with Q&A
Opportunity
to ask questions to Mark Widdup – Director for Economy & Environment,
Rochdale Council
|
Mark
Widdup
Rochdale
Council
|
25mins
|
7.00pm
|
Open Forum
Healthy
Workplaces Strategy
Breast
Feeding Welcome Scheme
MBA
Decline of High Streets Report
O2
Priority Moments
Rochdale
Business Awards
Business
in the Community (BIC) Rochdale
|
Fiona
Brigg
Ruth
Bardsley
Daniel
Turner
Anthony
Pauls
Carol
Hopkins
Peter
Fearnley
|
30mins
|
7.30pm
|
Time &
Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday
06 August, 6pm – 7.30pm, Number One Riverside
|
||
Thursday 10 April 2014, 6.00pm – 7.30pm
Number One Riverside
NOTES OF M E E T I N G
No.
|
ITEM
|
ACTIONS
|
1.
|
Welcome
Greg Couzens (Vice Chair) opened the meeting and
welcomed all in attendance.
|
|
2.
|
River Re-opening
Update
Laura
Hodson and Tony Callaghan from Rochdale Council delivered an update presentation
on the Restoring the Roch project:
·
A bid to Heritage Lottery Funds to reopen and restore
the River Roch has been submitted and the outcome is expected early June.
·
If successful works will commence in July and will
take 12 months to complete.
Main
elements to project:
·
Creation of 3 new openings on The Butts to reveal the
river below.
·
Restoration of the historic, multi-phase arch bridge
at the bottom of Yorkshire Street to the bridges Georgian outer elevations.
·
Restoration of the River Roch as an attractive
wildlife corridor.
·
Public realm improvements implemented from the international
design competition.
·
Retain as much of original structure as possible.
·
Recover and reuse masonry where possible.
·
Traditional methods and locally sourced materials
·
Sympathetic to the construction period
(Georgian/Regency).
·
Solid masonry parapet.
·
Lighting design to enhance visual appearance.
Questions /
Comments:
Q. John Kay asked
wither the river walks can continue?
A.
Tony explained this unlikely and difficult due to cost but once the
contractors are on site it may be possible to organise a form of tour around
the site.
Q. Greg Couzens
asked about the quality of the materials being used?
A.
Tony confirmed that the highest quality of York Stone will be used and
samples were circulated around the room.
Q. Brain
Sutcliffe asked if it is possible for the river designs and posters to be
circulated to businesses to hand out and show customers?
A.
Tony agreed to organise this.
Q. Mark Foxley
asked whether the Timber Sets on King Street can be uncovered as there are
only known to be two sets of these in the UK.
A.
Tony said he would certainly look into this.
For
more information please contact Laura or Tony on Tel: 924837 or Email: laura.hodson@rochdale.gov.uk /
tony.callaghan@rochdale.gov.uk
|
·
Tony & Laura to circulate River designs to local shops to show
customers.
·
Tony to look into the Timber Sets further.
|
3.
|
Historical Advertising Scheme
Mathilde Guerin from Rochdale Council delivered a
presentation on historical advertising to help revitalise the town centre:
·
Mathilde showed some
images of the Co-op tea advert on the side of the Pioneers museum and the
Whiskey advert along Bulls Brow.
·
Both of these adverts were
restored and repainted recently and have significantly improved the
environment and the public realm.
·
There are opportunities to
create more of these historical adverts around the town centre such as along
Hunters Lane, the side of the Regal Moon, Fashion Corner House and at key
locations near the transport interchange.
·
Mathilde would like to
link the project with the Co-op to promote Rochdale’s Cooperative heritage
and showed some advertisements she has collected from the Co-operative
Archives.
·
The scheme could be adapted to all town centres and
creste a heritage trail.
·
The artist who painted the Pioneers Museum estimated
the cost for one scheme would be between £5K - £10K.
Questions / Comments:
Q. Sheila Quillam asked whether there is funding to deliver this
project?
A. Not at this stage, although several businesses
in the town including M&S are interested.
C. Greg Couzens said he would be interested in
funding a traditional barbers shop advert.
For more information please contact Mathilde on
Tel: 01706 924354 or Email: Mathilde.guerin@rochdale.gov.uk
|
|
4.
|
Progress Update –
Mark Widdup
Mark Widdup – Director for Economy &
Environment at Rochdale Council provided a progress update on the Borough’s
town centres:
Rochdale Town
Centre:
·
Metrolink has now finally arrived into the town centre.
·
The Demolition works are on schedule and attracting a
lot of attention. The last bridge link was removed this week.
·
The Free Rochdale Town Centre Shuttle Bus will be
extended to cover the demolition period.
·
The Feel Good Festival will be taking place on Friday
29 & Saturday 20 August.
·
More signage is being installed to promote the shops
and brands within the town and directions.
·
A Rochdale Town Centre Offices Prospectus is being
developed to help increase demand for office based businesses to move into the
town.
Middleton:
·
The first ever Teenage Market is being held in
Middleton town centre on Saturday 19 April.
·
Stalls are free of charge to traders aged between 16
– 25.
·
To complement the event there will also be street
performances from local dance acts, singers, musicians etc to create a
festival atmosphere.
·
The Middleton Arena have also launched Cinema Events
in the Auditorium.
·
Every Monday, family movies will be screened from the
Arena and live sporting events will be aired.
·
Tickets are £4 for Adults and £2.50 for under 16’s.
·
Details of the films showing are available on the
website: www.middletonarean.com
of the Box Office: 0844 855 4020
Heywood:
·
The 1940’s Day will return
to Heywood on Saturday 28 June.
·
Military Parade to
commemorate the First World War is being held on 24 August.
Boroughwide:
·
The Tour de France is
coming through Rochdale Borough on 6th July.
·
A Cultural Briefing event
for businesses is being held on Tuesday 13th May, 5.30pm onwards
at the Bella Vista.
·
The event is aimed at
businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector and will focus on the
opportunities the Tour de France will bring.
·
Further details of this
event will be available soon.
·
In addition, 4 x visitor
pocket guides for each of the borough’s town centres (Heywood, Middleton,
Rochdale & Pennines) are being produced in advance of the Tour de France.
·
The pocket guides will be
distributed around local shops and visitor attractions.
Q&A Session:
C. Brian Sutcliffe acknowledged the Council for
handling the demolition disruptions so well over the past 2 years.
Q. Brian Sutcliffe asked if a camera can be installed to stream live
footage of the demolitions?
A. Gary Davies from the RDA confirmed there is a
camera but this was damaged by lightening in the recent storms. The camera
will be fixed soon and the live footage can be viewed on the Transforming
Rochdale website: www.rochdaletowncentre.com
C. John Kay invited members to the next meeting
of the Pennines Business Forum being held on Tuesday 15 April from 5.30pm
at Hare Hill House to discuss the Tour de France.
Q. John Kay also enquired whether the Pennines Triathlon will be going
ahead?
A. Mark Widdup has no further update at the moment.
Q. Margaret Smith asked for an update on Rochdale Markets?
A. Mark Widdup said the Council are in the
process of writing out to traders. A public consultation has been undertaken
and options for relocating the markets are being considered by members in
June.
Q. Brian Sutcliffe raised the issue of traffic and access within the
town particularly around Church Lane.
A. Mark Widdup confirmed that due to road works
within the town, people are using Church Lane as a main route.
Penn Street is also becoming very busy due to
cars trying to avoid John Street and it is becoming dangerous for pedestrians
at the top near Yorkshire Street.
Mark Widdup has commissioned Highways to look
into this and create a two-way system on Milton Street to ease traffic flows.
|
|
5.
|
Ideas Session – Feedback:
Car Parking ideas:
·
Long Stay Car Parking for
town centre workers
·
Flexible parking – buy one
ticket and park in multiple places for the time validity of the ticket
·
Parking permits for local
businesses
Business
Rates ideas:
·
Business rates reduction for new businesses
·
Incentive for more independents
·
Promote the new rates discounts
Market
ideas:
·
Market stalls in the Wheatsheaf Centre
·
Relocate markets to Champness Hall / Drake Street
·
Hold a Farmers Market on Saturday’s so not to compete
with those held on a Sunday.
·
N1R is very quiet on a Saturday – make use of the
space inside and outside
·
Locate market near tram stop to attract people to the
centre
·
Ensure the market relocation and offer is improved,
accessible and attractive
Events
& Entertainment ideas:
·
Tap into the Literacy Festival in October (profile,
books, arts, materials etc across all shops)
·
Street performers – encourage more and better quality
·
Theatre / cinema (possible in the Wheafsheaf Centre –
former library)
Other
ideas:
·
Keep the Free Town Centre Shuttle Bus - need to promote it more
·
Like the Historical Advertising!
·
Open a children’s play area near the shops on
Yorkshire Street
·
Signage around the town that directs people to
consumer goods e.g. children’s shoes sold at X,Y, Z
·
Cover Yorkshire Street – linking both shopping
centres
·
Supermarket express near Transport Interchange
·
Offer the ‘west’ of the town centre – Touchstones and
businesses will be driven out!
·
Extend the Ambassadors training
·
Quick, easy wins to keep up support and positivity
about Rochdale town centre
·
No unrealistic / expensive projects!
·
Street food
·
Pop ups
·
Evening economy
·
Food court
·
Apprenticeship opportunities
·
Incentives for new businesses
·
Link businesses with the River re-opening
·
Picnic area around the Cenotaph
·
Promote the town centre at Feel Good Festival
·
Outdoor information screens
Town Centre East:
·
New development – what will happen to rents and rates?
·
If it becomes like Yorkshire / Wheatsheaf / Exchange
– smaller businesses / boutiques etc will be driven out
·
Learn from Bury – Millgate virtually half empty
following The Rock
High
Street Foundation Meetings:
·
Somehow encourage all shops to attend this meeting
·
Review Agenda to keep on track and timing
·
Give speakers framework and warning if go over
allotted time
·
At this meeting get a specific action plan &
targets:
1. To feel achieved
something
2. See tangible
progress
Issues:
·
Litter – Rochdale is a dirty town – need more
cleaners more of the time. More bins and proper poo bins for dogs – fine
people!
·
Unapproved private adverts – all over town, lamp
posts, litter bins etc. Makes the town look cheap. Can we get these taken
down? This is a conservation area.
·
Signage – should there be rules about style and
placement?
|
|
6.
|
Open Forum
Revolution Radio 96.2fm – Matt Robinson
·
Revolution Radio is an
independent radio station owned by Matt Ramsbottom which covers Rochdale,
Oldham and Tameside.
·
Matt recently bought the
radio station and has made lots of changes including appointing a new
breakfast presenter and changing the music play lists.
·
Matt is keen to work with
the Council and businesses to promote Rochdale borough to their audience of
34,000 listeners per week.
·
For more information
please contact Matt or Ursula from the Revolution Radio on Tel: 0161 621 6500
Email: ursula.metcalf@therevolution962.com
Talk English Project – Safina Arif
·
Talk English is a new
project which aims to help people with little or no English get more involved
in the wider community and is funded by DCLG.
·
The project aims to work
with local businesses to train staff to be able to communicate more clearly
with customers and service users with low level English skills.
·
In Rochdale Borough there
are 5,476 people (7.2% of our population) who cannot speak English or cannot
speak English well.
·
In turn the project hopes
that businesses will be able to provide a better service to customers with
little or no English skills.
·
As part of the Talk
English scheme, businesses will be able to join a network of businesses
actively raising awareness of English language skills.
·
Businesses can send staff
on a 2-hour training course and receive one-to-one assistance.
·
Branding will be provided
including posters and badges to display in shops.
·
National stores including
Asda and the Co-op have already signed up.
·
If anybody would like to
get involved or for more information please contact Safina Arif on Tel: 01706
924869 or Email: Safina.arif@rochdale.gov.uk
|
|
7.
|
Time & Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 04 June, 6pm – 7.30pm, Number One Riverside.
|
Thursday 10 April,
6.00pm - 7.30pm
Number One
Riverside
Smith Street,
Rochdale, OL16 1XU
A
G E N D A
5.30pm
|
Networking
Tea &
coffee served from 5.30pm
Main meeting
to commence at 6.00pm
|
30mins
|
|
6.00pm
|
Welcome from
the Chair & Vice Chair
|
Paul
Clarke
Greg
Couzens
|
5mins
|
6.05pm
|
Restoring the
River Roch Update
Presentation
& discussion
|
Laura
Hodson & Tony Callaghan
|
15mins
|
6.20pm
|
Historic
Advertising Project
Presentation &
discussion
|
Mathilde Guerin
|
10mins
|
6.30pm
|
Progress
Update
Open
discussion with Q&A
|
Mark Widdup
|
15mins
|
6.45pm
|
Ideas for
Town Centre Improvements
All to discuss
around tables & feedback ideas
|
All
|
30mins
|
7.15pm
|
Open Forum
Business
In the Community
Talk
English Project
AOB
|
Peter
Fearnley
Safina
Arif
|
15mins
|
7.30pm
|
Time &
Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday
04 June, 6.00pm – 7.30pm, Number One Riverside
|
||
Rochdale Borough High Street Foundation
Tuesday 08 October, 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Number One Riverside
M I N U T E S O F M E E T I N G
1. WELCOME
2. PROGRESS UPDATE
Faulty Lights on South Parade Zebra Crossing
Action: Mark Widdup to follow up South Parade Zebra Crossing
3. ROCHDALE TOWN CENTRE EVENTS
4. ROCHDALE TOWN CENTRE MEDIUM TERM STRATEGY
5. OPEN FORUM
6. Time & Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 27 November, 6pm - 7.30pm, Number One Riverside
Number One Riverside
1. WELCOME
Paul Clark (Chairman) welcomed
all in attendance and new members to the High Street Foundation.
2. PROGRESS UPDATE
Mark Widdup - Director of Economy & Environment, RMBC gave an update on progress since the last meeting.
Town Centre’s Steering Group
- A new internal Steering Group has been set up within Rochdale Council for all town centres across the borough.
- The Steering Group will meet following each meeting of the HIgh Street Foundation to disucss issues / ideas raised and take appropriate action where possible.
- The Steering Group will be chaired by Mark Widdup and will focus on short - medium term actions across the Borough's town centres.
Heywood & Middleton Town Teams
- Middleton Town Team has now been established and met for the first time on 02 July.
- The Town Team will develop a 12 month Action Plan to improve the vitality and viability of Middleton Town Centre.
- Heywood Town Team is taking longer to establish due to a very high number of people wanting to be on the Town Team.
- The ATCM (Association for Town & City Centre Management) are helping to carry out an independent review of applicants and recommend membership of the Heywood Town Team.
- Each Town Team will have a budget of £25,000 from Rochdale Council to invest in their town centre action plans.
Rochdale Town Centre - Short Term Actions
- Following the last meeting of the High Street Foundation, a number of short-term actions have been implemented in Rochdale Town Centre:
Independent Retailer Month - Holding weekly cash mobs every Thursday throughout July - people meet up at 12.30pm outside M&S, draw the name of an independent retailer out of a hat and everyone descends on that retailer and spends a minimum of £5.
- Feel Good Fridays - giving local businesses a chance to come and trade / showcase their businesses in Number One Riverside which locates 2000 staff & members of the public. Rochdale Emporium, Marks & Spencer's, Greg Couzens and Ladies Only Gym are some of the retailers getting involved.
- Rochdale Town Centre Guides have been placed on 1,500 desks in N1R to showcase the great variety of businesses we have in Rochdale Town Centre.
- Communications on shop local / town centre businesses being promoted via internal communications to RMBC / N1R staff.
Empty Shops
- Looking at treatments to prominent empty shops in Rochdale Town Centre
- 3D Window Graphics / advertising windows
- Esablishing a dialog with landlords / agents
- New businesses still entering the town; Rochdale Station Bazaar, Lloyds TSB, New Cafe / Restuarant opening in the former Yates on Yorkshire Street.
Events
- Rochdale Co-operative Day 22 June
- Heywood 1940's Weekend
- Link4Life Big Games
- Best Bar None Awards
3. IDEAS INTO ACTION
Greg Couzens put forward a number of proposals he
would like Rochdale Council and the new Town Centres Steering Group consider for Action:
·
Recruit
a dedicated Rochdale Town Centre Officer
·
Set
up a Buying Group for town centre businesses to joint purchase cheaper
utilities
·
Digital
advertising scheme to promote local shops / businesses
·
Acquire
the Market Charter and bring the markets back onto the high street
·
Offer
free Wifi in the Town Centre
·
Create
an outdoor events / seating / food court area
·
Offer
business rate discounts to attract new shops / businesses into the town centre
4. ROCHDALE FEEL GOOD FESTIVAL 2013
·
This
year the Festival will take place outside the Town Hall due to the river
/Metrolink works taking place on The Butts.
·
There
will be a Food Village & outdoor market with live cookery demonstrations
from celebrity chefs.
·
Live
Music on Saturday afternoon with headliner act The Feeling.
·
The
Festival showcases Rochdale town centre at its best and attracts thousands of
visitors from the Borough and the North West.
·
Competitions
are running between now and the Festival and if you see the ‘Dinky Car’ you can
tweet / facebook and win a prize.
·
Any
businesses wanting to brand their event under the Feel Good brand get in touch
with Debbie
·
Any
businesses who want to get involved with the Festival email: Debbie@rochdaletcm.co.uk / Tel:
01706 926676
5. DRAKE STREET UPDATE
Nick Barton, RMBC Planning gave an update on the works to Drake Street:
·
Drake Street is the town’s most historic shopping
street – some of the businesses have been trading for over 100 years.
·
RMBC acknowledge the very difficult trading time
with Metrolink & utilities works.
·
Now beginning to come to an end – the Metrolink
line will be running from 2014.
·
A package of business support has been implemented
including rates relief.
·
Improvements currently being carried out to Wet
Rake Gardens to restore back to a park and bring back some of the traditional
features including red telephone box, new railings and seating.
·
Drake St will also see new paving to footpaths, new
signage, information boards and finger posts being installed and property
improvements to 15 specifically targeted problem buildings.
For more information please contact Nick Barton: nick.barton@rochdale.gov.uk / Tel: 01706 924847
6. OPEN FORUM
Rochdale Online –
Pauline Journeaux
·
Rochdale
Online is celebrating its 15 year anniversary.
·
It
is the only local news organisation in Rochdale and promotes news stories from
across the borough, an online business directory and events.
·
The
website receives over 100,000 visitors per month.
·
Rochdale
Online can offer Business Profiles and Advertising packages starting from as
little as £10 per month.
Blue Orchid - Kris
Midgley , Community Business Advisor
·
Blue
Orchid have a contract with Rochdale Council to provide FREE business support
and advice to new start busiensses and early years businesses trading under 3
years.
·
Support
includes one-to-one business advise, access to a range of training courses
& networking events.
·
Blue
Orchid are currently receiving around 15 new start up enquiries for Rochdale
Borough every week.
Transport for
Greater Manchester (TfGM) - Chris Taylor, Business Travel Advisor
·
Transport
for Greater Manchester have employed 3 Business Travel advisors to work with
businesses throughout GM.
·
Chris
is responsible for Rochdale and is looking to work with businesses to help them
with initiatives to move away from car journeys and use more public / green
transport options.
·
TfGM
are offering free support to businesses who want to get involved and support
employees with their travel choices.
Town Centre
Business Choir – Rev Margaret Smith, Town Centre Chaplain
·
Margaret
is looking to get up a town centre business choir, if there is enough interest
from local businesses, the choir will launch at Christmas during the town centre
nativity.
Barlcays Community
Banking Event – Alison Murray, Rochdale
Branch Manager
·
Barclays
Branch Manager- Alison Murray invited all members of the High St Foundation to
attend their first Community Banking Event being held in the Rochdale Branch on
Thursday 11 July from 6pm onwards.
·
Barclays
want to support local communities and invest in local projects / opportunities
and support individuals and businesses within the local community.
·
They
want to be the “Go-To” and offer help, advise, support, financial advice
clinics and more to strengthen local communities.
Rochdale Business Awards
– Carol Hopkins, RMBC
·
The
Rochdale Business Awards are now open for entries.
To enter or for more
information please visit the website: www.rochdalebusinessawards.co.uk
7. TIME & DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 03 July, 6pm - 7.30pm, Number One Riverside
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday
21 May 2013, 6.00pm – 7.30pm
Number
One Riverside
M I N U
T E S OF M E E T I N G
No.
|
ITEM
|
ACTIONS
|
1.
|
Welcome
·
Paul
Clark (Chairman) welcomed all in attendance and new faces to the High Street
Foundation.
| |
2.
|
General Update
Peter Rowlinson – Service Director for Planning &
Regulation, RMBC gave an update on progress since the last meeting.
Heywood &
Middleton Town Centres
·
A lot of work has been undertaken in Heywood
& Middleton to establish Town Teams for these centres.
·
Both towns are keen to have Town Teams and
businesses are being engaged with and the next round of meetings will be held
in Middleton on 05 June and Heywood on 04 June.
·
The Council are awarding funds of £25K to each
Town Team to develop short – medium term actions for improvement.
AGMA Town Centres Update
·
A
report undertaken by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (known
as AGMA) -on Greater Manchester's Town Centres has been published and has
identified that Rochdale's USP (unique selling point) is our heritage.
·
Rochdale
Council are currently preparing a response to the report to develop a list of
heritage led projects within Rochdale town centre that could be delivered
should any funding be made available as a result of the report.
·
Project
proposals include the River Roch re-opening future uses for Rochdale Town
Hall, Drake Street and a Ginnell Strategy.
International Design Competition
·
An
international design competition on for Rochdale Town Centre is being backed
by English Heritage to focus on improving the public realm.
·
Details
of the competition will be available on the Council website within the next 6
weeks and will be promoted internationally to architects & designers to
put forward their design ideas.
·
The
competition has already received a substantial level of interest.
River Re-opening
·
Funds have been approved from Heritage Lottery
to re-open the River Roch.
·
PR shared some photographs of the Medieval
bridges underneath the River Roch which will be exposed once the river is
re-opened.
·
In 12 months time work will be well underway
to re-open the river above The Butts.
·
Plans are already in place to carry out a
Phase 2 of re-opening to extend along The Esplanade and to the Police
Station.
Questions
/ Comments:
Q.
Will the river works be going on whilst the Metrolink is still being built?
A. The
Metrolink works should be completed before the River re-opening works
commence.
C.
Complaints were made about the cleanliness along Bull Brow & The Walk.
A. Works
are due to commence to give a face life to these ginnels and others in the
town centre.
Q.
Has there been any progress on a joint energy purchasing scheme for
businesses?
A. Carol
Hopkins – RMBC Business Manager agreed to pick up and provide an update at
the next meeting.
Q.
Will there be improved access to Toad Lane from the town centre?
A. This is
being considered by Highways the moment and new signage has recently been
installed.
| |
3.
|
Rochdale Borough Heritage Offer
Julian
Jefferson – Rochdale Borough Arts & Heritage Offer gave a presentation
providing an overview of the borough’s arts & heritage offer:
Touchstones
Rochdale offers an Arts & Heritage resource centre including:
Link4Life
also promote the Borough’s Physical Heritage Offer including:
Arts offer
includes the following:
Key events
/ initiatives:
Questions / Comments:
C.
There was agreement that tourism / heritage is essential to attract new
visitors into the Borough and concern over how this can be achieved now the
Council no longer have a Tourism Officer in post?
A. The functions are being picked up by the Link4Life
Visitor Information Services and the Economic Affairs Team.
A. There was a suggestion that Leisure & Tourism
Students at Hopwood Hall College could get involved in some tourism related
projects / be offered work experience placements.
A. A Heritage Strategy for the borough is currently being
produced.
C.
Marks & Spencer’s stressed the need to attract more retail & leisure businesses
into the town.
A. The Town Centre East development will bring more
retailers and shoppers into Rochdale.
A. We need to promote the whole town centre offer; eat,
shop, live, leisure, history and heritage.
A. O2 have recently invested in a refurb to one of their
shops in Middleton and they have seen a significant increase in sales / footfall.
A. M&S confirmed they are carrying out an investment
plan in the Rochdale store in September.
Q.
Can we do any quick fix, low cost treatments to the empty shops on Drake St /
Yorkshire St?
A. Have previously looked at window decals to improve the
look of the High Street. Previously done on Drake Street – it was agreed to
look at the cost and see if this can be implemented again.
Q.
What will happen to free car parking?
A. No plans at the moment to end the Free After Free /
Weekends.
A. There was a discussion whether this could be made Free
All Day but then town centre works would park their cars and occupy spaces
for shoppers.
A. The Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre are offering car
parking permits for town centre workers for just £2 per day.
Q.
How will the ideas put forward at this meeting be picked up?
A. The Council’s Executive Director – Mark Widdup has
established a new Steering Group to oversee short term initiatives within the
borough’s Town Centres. The ideas / issues raised at the High Street Foundation
meetings will be fed back to this group to decide on appropriate actions to
take.
|
·
RDA / RMBC to produce costings for
temporary shop front treatments.
·
FF to feedback ideas to Town Centres
Steering Group.
|
4.
|
Open Forum
Hopwood Hall College
·
Bev
Harmstone of Hopwood Hall College promoted Apprenticeship & work
experience opportunities with their students.
·
Anybody
wanting more information please contact Bev on Tel: 0161 654 4373 or Email: Beverley.harmstone@hopwood.ac.uk
Best of Rochdale
·
The
best of Rochdale is the ultimate business guide promoting the best things
Rochdale borough has to offer.
·
For
more information please visit the website: www.thebestof.co.uk/local/rochdale
Rochdale Station Bazaar
·
Opening
in July – the Rochdale Station Bazaar opposite Rochdale Train / Metrolink
Station will host a coffee shop, Cost Cutter store and new retail bazaar
featuring up to 15 independent traders.
·
For
more information please use the contact details below: Email: thestationbazaar@yahoo.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/The-Station-Bazaar
Winning Pitch Accelerator Programme
·
Winning
Pitch promoted the Accelerator Programme available to Small – Medium
businesses.
·
A
FREE workshop is being held on Wednesday 19 June, 5pm – 7pm at Number One
Riverside for businesses looking for rapid response and sustainable growth.
·
To
reserve your place please book online:
www.growthaccelerator.com/events/grow-your-business-to-twice-its-size-rochdale
| |
5.
|
Time & Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday
09 July, 6pm – 7.30pm, Number One Riverside.
|
Wednesday 20 March, 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Numner One Riverside
M I N U T E S
OF M E E T
I N G
|
No.
|
ITEM
|
ACTIONS
|
|
1. |
Welcome
|
|
|
2. |
Progress &
Future Plans – Peter Rowlinson & Mark Widdup
Peter Rowlinson updated on the physical regeneration
progress in Rochdale Town Centre over the past 12 months:
·
Police Station
·
Sixth Form College· Hopwood Hall College Phase 1 · Aldi · Central Leisure Centre · Co-op Museum · Number One Riverside · Metrolink Phase a
Projects
currently under construction:
·
Metrolink Phase b· Townhead Junction
Projects due to commence shortly include:
·
River Re-opening· Town Hall · New Vehicle Access Pattern · Drake Street · Demolition of the Black Box Mark Widdup has taken up a new post as Executive Director for Economy & Environment at Rochdale Council and discussed his future priorities for the borough’s town centres.
RMBC are committed to supporting town
centres and a new structure has been developed which will be overseen by the
Future Town Centres Board.
Rochdale Town Centre has been the main
focus over the past 12 months but work will be done over the coming 12 months
to support Town Teams in Heywood, Middleton & Pennines and resources of
£25K will be available to these town teams. |
|
|
3. |
Association for Towns & City Centre Management (ATCM) Presentation
– Lisa Durkin
Lisa Durkin, North West Town Teams Advisor gave a
presentation on the support available to Town Teams from the ATCM.
| |
|
4.
|
Review of Rochdale Day & Evening Action Plans – Debbie O’Brien,
Rochdale Town Centre Manager
Debbie
O’Brien updated on the progress of the Rochdale Town Centre Day & Evening
Action Plans.
Rochdale
Town Centre 2013 Events Programme now in place – key events include:
|
|
|
5.
|
Mobile App Launch – Jonathan Hindle, Rochdale Development Agency
|
|
|
6.
|
Rochdale Borough Community Safety Presentation – Jeanette Stayley
& Chief Inspector John Taylor
|
|
|
7.
|
Demolition Timescales for Rochdale Town Centre – Gary Davies, Rochdale
Development Agency
Gary
Davies gave an overview of the demolition timescales for Rochdale town centre.
Buildings to be demolished include:
Demolition works are scheduled to take place from
October 2013 and the first buildings to be demolished will be Telegraph House
and the Bus Station. The demolitions works are due to be completed by June
2014.
|
|
|
8.
|
Open Forum
Street Pastors
Winning Pitch Accelerator Programme
Heywood Town Centre
A local student on work
experience spoke about his experiences visiting Heywood, Middleton,
Littleborough & Rochdale Town Centres.
His views were very
positive of all the towns, but he felt that Heywood needed more support and
investment, as he wasn’t sure if he had even found the centre of Heywood.
This viewpoint will be
picked up by the Heywood Town Team once established.
GM Town Centres Report & Rochdale Markets
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Invite Kirkholt Street Pastors to future meeting.
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9.
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Time & Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 21 May, 6pm – 7.30pm, Number One
Riverside.
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