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JOHN

BLUNDELL

ROCHDALE COUNCIL CABINET MEMBER FOR

REGENERATION, BUSINESS, SKILLS & EMPLOYMENT

One of the youngest people to ever have been to get the right ideas implemented.
elected to Rochdale Borough Council, John
Blundell was first elected a councillor in 2014 - age Councillor Blundell wants to see more housing in
just 20 - and re-elected in 2018. the town centre - to emulate the success of other
towns and cities that have brought residents back
The 25-year-old was born at Birch Hill Hospital and into the heart of town - and create a vibrant culture
raised in Firgrove; he now lives in Littleborough. that benefits people and town centre leisure and
His full-time occupation is a consultant economist retail outlets.
for a leading Manchester-based company.
He would also like to see a good mix of property
Councillor Blundell became the Council Cabinet types to ensure there is the right sort of housing in
Member for Regeneration, Business, Skills and the town centre and further afield, such as around
Employment in 2018. His role is to provide Rochdale train station. He feels this is important to
strategic vision, to assist council officers in realising attract people to live in the town and also to
that vision and to give the people of the borough ensure local people have access to good jobs, be
confidence that the council is making the borough that in Rochdale or within easy commuting time
a better place. and distance.

Councillor Blundell is rightfully proud of the Asked what message he would like to give to the
transformation that has already taken place in people of Rochdale, Councillor Blundell said:
Rochdale town centre in recent years and is
looking forward to the new leisure and retail “The Council is working to make the borough a
development – Riverside – being completed. better place to live, to work, to run a business and
to visit, but we cannot do this alone. We have
Further investment is being pumped into listened to residents and businesses and will
Rochdale, including a Heritage Lottery Fund continue to do so. What I would ask is that people
Grant that will see major improvements to have a positive outlook, to focus on all the good
Rochdale Town Hall and the public realm in front changes that have been and are being made and to
of the Town Hall. give Rochdale a chance.”

He is keen to stress that it is important to ensure He added: “A number of independent businesses
the transformation does not “run out of steam”. have already opened in the town centre, please
shop local, please eat and drink local, give these
Currently ideas are being considered for the areas businesses the vote of confidence they need, and
around Rochdale Riverside, such as The Butts and please do the same when the Rochdale Riverside
Photo: Malcolm Journeaux Bell Street, and Councillor Blundell says it is crucial development opens.”

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