Buy Local, Shop Online... at Rochdale's new online department store

 

The new Rochdale Online Department Store has been launched:

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/store

The store brings local retailers together as a collective and enables the residents of the borough to buy online and yet shop local, the convenience of online shopping but with the benefit of supporting local retailers and keeping money in the local economy.

The goods on offer will include baby, children’s, women’s and men’s wear, jewellery, DIY products, books, art and crafts, school and work uniforms, gifts and fancy goods, carpets/rugs/flooring, furniture and household goods, photography equipment, bridal/prom dresses, haberdashery, disability products, car parts and accessories, flowers, sweets, cakes and meat packs.

Retailers include: Denis Hope, Brides of Rochdale, 25 Ten Boutique, Leading Ladies, CJ's Baby Boutique, Pennine Photographic & Binocular Centre, HiCo Ltd, Home & More, Buttons Haberdashery, Lancashire Wallpaper & Paint Co, GSG Carpet Factory Shop, George Kelsall Booksellers, Beads from the Art, Blue Rose Gifts & Balloons, The Little Art Gallery, Geoff Butterworth Fine Arts, Elite Framing, Liquid Wall Art, FMC Design Factory, Amber Pet Supplies, Sweet & Yummy Gifts, Brown's Handcrafted Cakes, Against the Wall Vinyl Stickers, Abbey Architectural Ironmongery Company, Concept Care, Heywood Accessories and Spares, Lola Ashleigh, M24 Arts.

Managing Director of Rochdale Online, Pauline Journeaux said: "High Street retailers have seen a significant downturn in the past few years and Rochdale has suffered more than most towns. One of the main reasons is the upward trend in customers buying online, and online shopping will account for at least a third of UK retail commerce by 2022. Local retailers have to adapt to survive and Rochdale Online’s technical expertise, established relationships with local businesses and massive local audience, makes it uniquely placed to offer this community based e-commerce platform for the borough. For the first time local residents will be able to ‘Buy Online, Shop Local’ in a one stop local store."

The development of the store has been backed by Rochdale Borough Council, and Ms Journeaux added: "I would like to thank the Council for recognising the exciting vision we had of a 'digital High Street' for the borough and for their grant support for the development."

Council Leader Richard Farnell said: “This is a fantastic initiative from Rochdale Online and is just the shot-in-the-arm our local retail offer needs. Rochdale has some great shops, but like everywhere, they have been adversely affected by the recession and the growth of online shopping.

"Many shops need an online presence and this new initiative will help local shoppers buy online and shop local. Shoppers outside the borough will be able to see ‘the very best of Rochdale retail in one place’.

"I am pleased Rochdale Council was able to support this venture which helps our local businesses compete with the big guys.”

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/store

Co-operation on Wheels Exhibition



Left to Right: Museum Trustee Mervyn Wilson, Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Peter Rush, Museum Manager Jenny Mabbott and young people from Sparth Community Centre

A new exhibition has been unveiled at the Rochdale Pioneers Museum to celebrate the Tour de France coming through Rochdale Borough on Sunday 6 July. The ‘Co-operation on wheels’ exhibition explores the link between cycling and co-operatives and will be on show until 25 October. There are a range of bikes and cycling memorabilia on display, from original Co-operative Wholesale Society delivery bikes to one of the latest road bikes used by professionals today.

 

Highlights to the exhibition are the skinsuit worn by Bradley Wiggins after he became world individual pursuit champion in 2003. There is also a toy pram, produced by the same CWS factory in Tyseley, Birmingham that made bikes. Those with a keen eye may also notice the tiny toy bike made in the likeness of a Birmingham Co-operative Society grocery bike.

"We challenged ourselves with this exhibition, as we wanted to engage a wide range of visitors from families to cycle enthusiasts. Not only are there lots of new things to see, there are things to do too", says Jenny Mabbott the Museum Manager who has been in charge of the exhibition from the planning phase to its launch.  "We have also worked with Rochdale Youth Service and kinetic sculptor Richard Dawson to create a cycling themed a piece of art to go alongside the exhibition and the result is really impressive".

This clever art installation has been created by young people from Sparth Community Centre and is made up of old bike parts. It will be unveiled at the Museum’s Tour de France Countdown Party event on Saturday 28th June.

 

The Co-operation on wheels exhibition is suitable for all. Alongside the artefacts and information on display there is also a range of interactive elements including a Tour de France themed four in a row game, design your own Tour de France jersey, a cycling wheel of fortune game, an exercise bike cycle challenge,  a gears building set and acetate shapes to design your own window display.

More information about both the Co-operation on wheels exhibition and Tour de France Countdown Party can be found on the Museum’s website www.rochdalepioneersmuseum.coop. Alternatively you can call 01706 524920 or e-mail museum@co-op.ac.uk.

A range of Le Tour de France memorabilia is on display at the Rochdale Pioneers Museum as part of the Co-operation on Wheels Exhibition

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

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/26040/events-in-rochdale/rochdale-business-exhibition-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



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

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