Rochdale Town Centre Vision

Rochdale has been on a journey to reinvent its town centre and much has been achieved over the past ten years.

The award winning River Roch re-opening has uncovered a historic packhorse bridge and protected properties across the town centre from flooding. Europe's first transport Interchange to run partly on hydro-electric power was built in 2011, harnessing power from the river. The Metrolink light rail system has been brought into the town centre, a new sixth form college has been built, Hopwood Hall's Rochdale campus has been refurbished and new Council offices and central library created at Number One Riverside.

A new retail and leisure complex Rochdale Riverside was opened in April 2020 and plans have been submitted for 240 homes and a 147-bedroom hotel as a second phase of the scheme. The restoration of Rochdale's former fire station is almost complete and work has started to restore the magnificent Grade I listed Rochdale Town Hall. Meanwhile, the area around the town hall will be redeveloped through the creation of a public square that could be used for events or leisure purposes.

Against this context, town centres have faced significant and ongoing pressures for a number of years which have only been exacerbated in the last 12 months by the global pandemic. However out of every challenge comes an opportunity and now is the opportunity to be bold, agile and innovative in setting a new direction for the future of Rochdale Town Centre.

Over the coming weeks, we'd like to collect your views on the town centre and create a shared vision for the future.

This Commonplace will evolve over time as we engage with communities and stakeholders and the vision emerges. To get involved with shaping our priorities for improvement and defining the future of the town centre, click 'Rochdale Town Centre Vision' below.