Community helps to formulate town’s bright new future

An action plan is being devised in a bid to boost trade and regenerate Heywood town centre.

 

A Heywood Town Team is being set up to drive prosperity and tourism in the town and devise a long- term strategy to help shape the future of the town.

Set up as part of Rochdale council’s boroughwide High Street Foundation project, the group will be made up traders, business leaders, charity workers and local authority staff.

A second meeting is now being held at The Phoenix Centre and will feature a talk by Peter Rowlinson, the council’s head of planning.

There wil also be updates from various speakers on issues such as progress, the town centre vision and a draft action plan.

The structure of the town team will also be established, with appointments of a chairman and vice-chairman and the formal set-up of the organisation to be agreed.

And the meeting will include an update on ideas from the students at Siddal Moor Sports College who were asked to consider how the group should move on in future months.

Frances Fielding, economic development officer for the council, said she was keen for all interested parties to attend the meeting or get in touch.

She said: “We want to engage with as many people as possible and ensure they receive regular communications on the Heywood Town Team.”

At the initial meeting, members discussed potential areas for development and regeneration, including the East Lancashire Railway, the old Boots warehouse, Mossfield, the George Street area and Angel Meadow.

There was also discussion about reasons for a general downturn in high streets around the country and strategies to reverse the trend.

The second workshop meeting is due to take place on Tuesday, April 23, at the Phoenix centre from 5.30pm.

For more information or to confirm attendance at the meeting, email frances.fielding@rochdale.gov.uk or Tel: 01706 926700.

All interested parties from the business and local community are welcome to attend the meetings.

Award winning boutique closes its doors in Rochdale for the final time

Rochdale’s award-winning 25-Ten boutique has closed its doors for the final time after owners Paul and Kelly Turner Mitchell have decided to move the boutique from its Yorkshire Street location.

Co-Owner Paul Turner Mitchell said: “This was a tough decision based solely on business reasons. We had the opportunity to surrender a commercial lease agreement early and, with a heavy heart, decided to take it. High rent and business rates have now made trading unsustainable in Rochdale. The footfall and spending power is nowhere near as strong as it used to be - and the town faces a big challenge to get people with disposable income from Littleborough, Norden, Bamford and elsewhere to come back into Rochdale. At the moment, for a variety of reasons, they're giving the town centre a wide berth.

"We’ve enjoyed trading here – but now’s the time to move on and we hope to make an exciting announcement about our new location in the coming days. We will also be developing and enhancing our online strategy to take advantage of what is a big growth area for young fashion."

He added that the last five years had been a fantastic and rewarding experience – and both he and Kelly were extremely proud of what the 25Ten team had achieved.

“We’ve been listed as one of the most inspiring boutiques in the UK and Ireland for the last three years and seen numerous actresses and celebrities make the journey to visit the boutique. We’ve had a lot of fun and enjoyed bringing some glamour to Rochdale but, sadly, it is now time to continue that journey elsewhere”

Kelly added “I would personally like to thank each and every one of our wonderful customers who have been incredibly loyal to us over the years.  I hope they will bear with us on this transition period and continue on the next phase of the 25Ten journey”

 

Heywood Town Centre Meeting - Tuesday 23 April, 5.30pm - 7.00pm, Phoenix Centre

Invitation

The Rochdale Borough High Street Foundation was set up in February 2012 by Rochdale Council to work more effectively with local businesses and the community to help create vibrant and sustainable high streets for the future.

 

Since launchign the Foundation, over 200 businesses have now become members and are working together to share ideas and stimulate more create and social activities on our high streets focusing on the arts, music, heritage, leisure and enterprise.

 

Over the past 12 months a lot of work has taken place to support Rochdale Town Centre, establishing a Town Team and developing a short-medium term Action Plan, with the help from members of the High Street Foundation.

 

The future of our high streets and town centres are changing. Around 15% of shops in the UK are now vacant and 10% of all retail purchases are online. Town centres can no longer rely on just retail to survive and need to be much more focused on social and community benefits.

 

This meeting will look at the model that has been successful in Rochdale Town Centre. You will hear from the Rochdale Town Centre Manager, Debbie O'Brien, and look to establish a Town Team and Action Plan for Heywood Town Centre

 

To confirm your attendance at this meeting please contact Anthony Jackson by Email: anthony.jackson@rochdale.gov.uk or Tel: 01706 925217 

 



Co-operative Revolution Street Gallery - The Butts Rochdale Town Centre

The Co-operative Revolutionary Street Gallery - a giant outdoor exhibition has been touring towns and cities across the UK and arrived in Rochdale Town Centre this week.

The Co-operative Revolution started here in Rochdale in 1844, by the Rochdale Pioneers, and their story has today inspired and helped change the lives of people from all over the world.

The exhibition showcases a dramatic series of photographs demonstrating the scale and impact of co-operatives worldwide.

The exhibition is free to visit and will be located on The Butts throughout April.

 

Future Events in Rochdale Town Centre

The Museums At Night event will include a singing procession around Rochdale Town Centre starting at St Chads Church at 6pm and led by nationally acclaimed contemporary artist Susan Forsyth. If you would like to take part in the procession, please contact Jennifer Broadbent, Pioneers Museum Manager on Tel: 01706 524920 or Email: jenny@co-op.ac.uk

Rochdale Town Centre Easter Fair - 28, 29 & 30 March

Free tickets to view a screening of The Rochdale Pioneers film - Tuesday 16 April, 6.30pm - 8.30pm, Touchstones Rochdale

To coincide with the Co-operative Revolution Street Gallery comming to Rochdale town centre in April.

Commissioned by The Co-operative Group and produced by The Co-operative British Film Academy, the film tells how in 1844 a small group of people fought adversity and inspired a worldwide movement.

Also hear from some of the actors involved in the film in a special Q&A session after the film.

Before and after the film there will be an opportunity to view the dramatic Co-operative Street Gallery which tells the diverse story of co-operation, through its history, scale and scope.

Venue: Touchstones, The Esplanade, Rochdale, OL16 1AQ
Date: Tuesday 16 April
Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Cost: FREE

Bookings:
Please telephone 0161 827 6423 or email: membership.northwest@co-operative.coop or visit the website: www.co-operative.coop/membership