REDEVELOPMENT OF ROCHDALE

Have faith in Rochdale!

Finally it is looking like the redevelopment of my home town of Rochdale is becoming a reality rather than a pipe dream.

There are apparently concrete plans in place for a ￡100m development of a Leisure and Shopping area - which will be called Rochdale Riverside.

Having sat for over two years on the Rochdale High Street Foundation (a Mary Portas initiative) I know that there are many of us who are passionate about the town of Rochdale and its redevelopment. I also witnessed first hand that no matter what the Planners / Council / Architects etc propose there will always be some who will find fault.

Personally I don't want Rochdale to become so large that it becomes just another impersonal shopping centre with bars and restaurants who don't give a dam who you are. I like the fact that the people in the Bakers / Opticians / Shoe shop / Hair Dressers / Jewellers and at my favorite Cosmetics Counter know who I am and that they will go that extra mile to please.

I like the fact that when you walk into your fav bars and restaurants that people are pleased to greet you.

I am personally proud of what Rochdale has achieved so far, I think the river looks stunning and that the Town Hall Square is fantastic. I know that there is still much more to do and still that is wrong and not how it should be in Rochdale. However I for one support the fact that we are giving it a good old go to get my home town back on track!!