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Autumn 2018Rochdale Town Centre BID

How would you spend £1.5 million in Rochdale?

Most of us can only dream of spending millions on what we really want in Rochdale Town Centre, but what if this could become more than a dream?

Funding improvements to the area, such as additional town centre events and making improvements to the public realm, new facilities, services and projects, can become a reality, thanks to the runaway success of Business Improvement Districts – or BIDs.

Since 2004, over 300 BIDs have been proposed and approved by business communities, including Altrincham, Stockport, Chester, Manchester City Centre, Halifax and Leeds.

It’s an innovative scheme that Rochdale Town Centre Management is keen to introduce locally, working with businesses to determine their priorities before implementing them with the help of a potential £1.5 million budget over the next five years.

Participating businesses have worked together to draw up a BID business plan, which is then voted on by the town centre businesses. If agreed, it is funded through a levy based on business rateable values, plus possible additional funding to invest in delivering the plan.

This business-led programme of investment will be delivered through four strategic objectives and their related projects: ‘lively and well promoted’, ‘safe, secure and accessible’, smart and attractive’, and ‘a great business, leisure and cultural offer.’

Extensive surveys, interviews and workshops undertaken to develop the BID Business Plan have identified a desire to create a vibrant town centre, raise its profile and encourage the growth, development and investment of business and organisations which support the development of Rochdale's identity.

Town Centre Manager Paul Ambrose said: “Whilst there is no denying that high streets up and down the country are having to adapt, Rochdale is ahead of the curve, due to the investment and commitment by all partners to ensure that the town centre offer is diverse.

“The BID will help stakeholders achieve their ambitions, bring all businesses together to raise Rochdale’s game.”

Lorenzo O’Reilly, chairman of the BID Steering Group added: “This is an exciting time for businesses in Rochdale town centre to do the things we want which will make a difference to us.

“Rochdale is such a great place and has incredible potential. Let’s make it the way we want it to be.”

Subject to the successful ballot in October 2018, the BID will operate for five years starting on 1 April 2019.

To find out more contact:
Paul Ambrose
Town Centre Manager
paul@rochdaletcm.co.uk
01706 926677