Thursday, 15 May 2014

Love Your Local Market Fortnight - 14 - 28 May 2014


 
New traders make their pitch during Love Your local Market fortnight

A total of 15 test traders have pledged to pitch in Rochdale during Love Your Local Market fortnight.

As part of the event, which runs from 14 -28 May, Rochdale and Middleton markets offered stalls to new traders for just £5 a day.

And a host of businesses, including Ladies Only Gym, Shabby Chic Furniture and Jessica Sammon Designs, have heeded the call.

The following stalls will be running in Rochdale during the fortnight:

·         Ladies Only Gym – selling health foods and exercise equipment (Thursday 15 and 22)

·         Rochdale Hornets – selling tickets and merchandise (Saturday 17 May )

·         RSPB – selling membership (Friday 23 May)

·         Jessica Sammon – selling handmade cards, wrapping paper and mugs (14 May to 24 May)

·         Loose upholstery covers (16 to 28 May)

·         Costume jewellery (Friday 16 and 23 May)

·         Reading glasses (Saturday 17 and 24 May)

·         Wood carved goods (Friday 16 May)

·         Handmade jewellery, wine and champagne glasses with charms (Friday 16 and 23 May)

·         Handmade jewellery (Monday 19 May, Wednesday 28 May)

·         Vintage clothes (Saturday 17 May)

·         Personalised frames and gifts (Saturday 17 and 24 May, Wednesday 28 May)

·         Shabby chic furniture (Saturday 17 May)

·         Non-alcoholic drinks (Saturday 17 May)

·         Personalised gifts (Saturday 17 and 24 May)

And curious shoppers will also be in with a chance of scooping a prize worth £50, with a market hamper up for grabs throughout the fortnight.

The hamper contains goodies donated by the stalls including fresh fruit and vegetables, fair trade chocolate, a toaster, a voucher for free shoe repair and much more.

Shoppers simply have to visit the market anytime during the fortnight and leave their details on one of the cards which will be available on the stalls. These can then be left with the stallholders or in the market office on the balcony. The winner will be drawn on Friday 30 May.

Rochdale market manager, Jeff Charlesworth, said: “We really want Rochdale market to get bigger and better. We already have a new fishmonger trading on Saturdays who has received some fantastic feedback from shoppers. This is a great start, but we’d like even more new stalls and the traders who have come forward for Love Your Market fortnight give shoppers a taste of what we could have. That’s why I’d encourage everyone to come down and take a look at what’s on offer.”

Rochdale market will be open as normal during Love Your Local Market Fortnight. The opening times for the normal stalls are 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Saturday with the exception of Tuesday which is flea market day. The market will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday (26 May).

Rochdale Online Business Exhibition

4.00pm – 7.00pm Wednesday 24 September 2014 at Rochdale Town Hall


The Rochdale Online Business Exhibition takes place in the magnificent setting of the Great Hall at Rochdale Town Hall and provides an excellent opportunity for exhibitors to showcase the breadth and depth of their products and services.

Bookings are now being taken for stands - the booking fee for a stand is £40 but bookings recieved by before 1 July 2014 is reduced to £20.

The Great Hall will be open for exhibitors to set up their stands from 3.00pm and the public will be admitted from 4.00pm until 7.00pm. Stands to be removed by 8.00pm.

Rochdale Council Chief Executive Jim Taylor said of the 2013 exhibition: “There was a fantastic turnout at the Business Exhibition, and it had a great atmosphere. It’s great to see local businesses working together to organise events such as this.”

John Byrne, Junction 21 Chauffeur Driven Taxis, said: “I met business leaders from the borough and I was really delighted with my participation in the event.”

Delphine Greenhalgh from DG Consultancy, and Rochdale President of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “The event was a very good forum to meet existing and potential Chamber members. I am always amazed at the varied spread of exhibitors and visitors”.

Rochdale Council Director of Economy and Environment Mark Widdup said: “Following the completion of Drake Street and the signing of the Genr8 contract, events such as this give a real boost to businesses in Rochdale. I hope that it will become a regular event for local businesses to share ideas and promote themselves.”

Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency John Hudson said: “I welcome the fact that this is another example of businesses working together to support local enterprise and growth. It was pleasing to see the variety of businesses represented and understand what they are trying to achieve at first hand".

For more information or to book a stand please contact Pauline at Rochdale Online on Tel: 01706 523583 or Email: pauline@rochdaleonline.co.uk

Tuesday, 22 April 2014

Historical adverts to celebrate Rochdale’s heritage


Historic Co-op Tea advert
Rochdale could be transported back in time with the council looking at using historical adverts to help revitalise the town centre. 

The move could see adverts from bygone days adorn key town centre locations to improve the public realm and remind people of Rochdale’s great history.

The suggestion follows the painting of the large Co-op tea advert on the side of the Pioneer’s museum in Toad Lane and the White Ling Whiskey painting which has transformed Bull Brow ginnel.

The idea was well received when it was discussed at the most recent meeting of the High Street Foundation with town centre businesses welcoming the initiative.

Possible locations for the adverts include the Baum Ginnel, the side of the Regal Moon building facing the old bus station and Butts Avenue.

Mark Robinson, Head of Planning at Rochdale Council, said:

“The response we’ve had to the two historical adverts we’ve already installed has been very positive, so we’re keen to build on this and move forward with a project which really is unique in Greater Manchester.”

“This scheme will not only enhance Rochdale’s strong heritage offer, but it will connect visitors and residents to our town’s great history.”

The council is set to explore funding options over the coming months, including external grants and possible contributions from town centre businesses.

If the scheme is a success, a historical trail could be built up around the adverts, similar to the blue plaque trail which was launched in the town centre last year.

The Pioneers Museum murial

White Ling Whiskey Historic Advert

Historic advert mock along The Baum passageway

Historic advert mock on The Butts Avenue

Mock of the side of the Regal Moon



Thursday, 17 April 2014

Rochdale Town Centre Demolition Update - April 2014

Demolition continues full speed ahead!

Progress on the demolition of the old bus station and car park in Rochdale town centre continues to speed along, with the remaining half of the building rapidly disappearing into a pile of rubble. The scaffolding and covering of the Black Box is now over half way up the building - it is changing from the black box to the blue box!
 
Works are also ongoing inside the building as the internal fixtures and fittings are being removed ready for the deconstruction of the building once the scaffolding is complete.   

For more information and up-to-date news about the demolition and all the changes taking place in the town centre please visit the town centre website at www.rochdaletowncentre.com




Wednesday, 9 April 2014

The Teenage Market is comming to Middleton!

Saturday 19 April, 9am - 2.30pm, Middleton Gardens


The Teenage Market is comming to Middleton town centre next weekend and there are still market stalls available FREE of charge to anyone aged 16 - 25.

The event will be the first of it's kind in Middleton, aiming to attract more young people and families into the town centre and create a vibrant and festival atmosphere over the Easter weekend.

To compliment the markets there will be live street performances from local performing artists who want to showcase their talents.

The organisers are looking for dance acts, singers, musicans, poets, magicians.

Anyone under the age of 25 with a talent and who wants to perform or would like to reserve a free market stall should get in touch with the Middleton Town Centre Management Company:

Tel: 07794 374 554
Email: middletontcm@hotmail.co.uk