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Major facelift for Rochdale

10/03/2008

Rochdale in north Manchester is to undergo a major facelift, starting in 2010.

The borough council has asked Wilson Bowden Developments to redevelop Rochdale town centre at a cost of £250 million.

Apartments, 350,000 sq ft of retail floor space, restaurants, cafes, bars, an arts centre, car parking and a public recreation space will be established.

Rochdale council leader Alan Taylor said the scheme is a "major step forward in transforming the town centre into something distinctive".

"Following a robust selection process, we are delighted to have finally secured a developer that will make Rochdale stand out from the crowd and not just be like every other town across the region," he added.

Wilson Bowden will deliver a detailed building strategy over the next few months and work is expected to start in 2010.

The scheme is part of a wider regeneration of Rochdale that includes a new transport interchange on Smith Street by 2010, as well as new public facilities and civic offices.

Transport bosses believe the interchange will provide a significant regeneration boost to Rochdale and complements plans to extend the Metrolink to the north Manchester borough.