A public consultation has been launched on plans to transform the former Central Retail Park into a thriving new town centre community – which is set to feature a mix of 200 houses and apartments (ranging from one to five-beds).
Local residents are now being encouraged to give their thoughts on Neighbourhood Rochdale ahead of the brownfield site’s renovation.
Designed to breathe life back into the area, Neighbourhood Rochdale will feature “stunning, design-led homes with beautiful architecture”, including modern, open plan layouts and energy efficient tech (plus electric vehicle charging).
The site will also include a food hall, general store, café-bar and flexible communal space, along with plenty of outdoor spaces for residents and the wider community to enjoy.
The Rochdale plans also include a public linear park, with circuit training equipment, self-timed sprint track, kids’ play area, an outdoor pavilion for events and BBQ areas.
Capital & Centric
Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital & Centric said: “Neighbourhood Rochdale goes beyond just building new homes, it’s about rebooting the town centre and creating a proper community where you can get to know your neighbours and make new friends.
“That’s why we’ve included tons of shared spaces, which could be used for everything from yoga classes to kids’ parties or even a cinema night, and meeting pods for people working from home, and there’s also the food hall and outdoor events pavilion to bring in people from the wider community.
“As you’d expect from us, it’s going to be very green, with beautiful terraces for all the houses and lots of landscaped spaces and lush lawns.
“We’ve got loads of ideas but want to know what local people think so give us a shout”.
Located just a short walk from both the Metrolink and train station – which offer an easy commute into Manchester city centre and access to the Peak District by public transport – the Central Retail Park site has been vacant for nearly a decade.
These new plans are part of the £400 million regeneration of Rochdale town centre and the council’s rail strategy, which will “level up the town centre” with 7,000 homes around the borough’s five railway stations.
Councillor John Blundell – Cabinet Member for Economy and Communications at Rochdale Borough Council – added: “I’d urge locals to get involved in this consultation, so they can help to shape what I’m sure will be a thriving new town centre community.”
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Keen to have your say?
With a public consultation that closes on Friday 4 June, there are lots of ways that people can join the conversation and all feedback will be used to help shape the plans.
A newsletter has been sent to over 5,000 households and businesses in the area with a tear-off freepost questionnaire (whcih can also be completed online here).
Residents can also join a live online Q&A with the team on Wednesday 26 May at 6pm, with sign-up via the website.
You can also ask any questions by calling 0800 689 1095 or emailing info@rochdaleneighbourhood.com.
It is expected that a planning application will be submitted to Rochdale Borough Council in the summer.
Featured Image – Capital & Centric
Rochdale
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025
Emily Sergeant
Rochdale has officially been named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025.
Taking over the reins from Bolton – which held the title in 2024 – and following in the footsteps of Stockport before that, which held the title in 2023, and even hosted a massive ‘Town of Culture Weekender’ festival with 50+ free events to celebrate and bring its title year to a close, it’s now the turn of the north-eastern Greater Manchester borough of Rochdale.
Rochdale’s year will build on the town’s already-rich cultural history and international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement.
More than 35 arts organisations will be bringing together an ambitious programme of festivals, exhibitions, events, and performances throughout the year.
Unfamiliar with what the ‘Greater Manchester Town of Culture’ title is all about? It’s an accolade that’s handed out every year to different boroughs across the region.
Bury was the inaugural title-holder 2020 and held onto it in 2021 too due to the COVID pandemic, before being followed by Stalybridge in 2022, Stockport in 2023, and of course, Bolton in the year just gone.
The title celebrates Greater Manchester’s culture and heritage.
As well as getting a new title to shout about, it also sees the towns given a grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) culture fund to help develop a programme of cultural events and activities throughout the year.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group | Rochdale Council
In Rochdale’s case, you can expect the ‘very best local talent’, as this year is promising to put ‘people power’ centre stage, with residents helping to plan, develop, and deliver a lineup of creative activities, alongside a number of major events.
This includes the popular free days out for families, an exciting new urban arts festival, two different food and drink festivals, a lantern parade, the Ignite Fire Festival, a Pride parade, and so much more.
You can also expect live music performances, a new people’s gallery, and even some major international collaborations that are yet to be announced.
Rochdale is taking over the reins from Bolton, which held the title in 2024 / Credit: Rochdale Council
“Rochdale is a place with a rich cultural history, so it is great to name it Greater Manchester’s town of culture as it’s town hall and town centre enter a new era,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as the borough was crowned this week.
“Rochdale submitted a fantastic bid for this which, was incredibly exciting and ambitious, while being firmly rooted in its local talent and deep history.
“We are definitely going to see the very best of what Rochdale has to offer over the next 12 months and people will come from far and wide to see it.”
Featured Image – Rochdale Council
Rochdale
Loads of legendary retro steam trains will be travelling through Greater Manchester next month
Emily Sergeant
History will be rolling through Greater Manchester next month as loads of legendary steam trains will be showcased.
East Lancashire Railway‘s (ELR) Legends of Steam event is back again for the second year after proving so popular last spring, and this time around, there’ll be loads of iconic locomotives with ties to both film and royalty on display.
Returning from Friday 14 – Sunday 16 March, as part of the heritage railway’s ongoing 200th anniversary celebrations, well-known historic steam trains such the LNER A1 Peppercorn Class 60163 ‘Tornado ’ and the LMS Black 5 45407 ‘The Lancashire Fusilier’ will be on display, alongside a pair of ‘Bulleid’ light pacifics too.
‘Tornado’, which is the fastest steam engine to run since the 1960s, is also set to hit the tracks in a couple of weeks too.
This particular train has famously transported royals, and has appeared on TV shows and films, such as Top Gear and Paddington 2.
Fans of the ‘Jacobite’ steam train, which was made famous by its appearances over the Glenfinnan Viaduct in the much-loved Harry Potter film series, also have the chance to ride behind one of the regular locomotives from the Ian Riley fleet, 45407.
Rounding out the packed lineup is the instantly-recognisable pair of Southern Region Light Pacifics, 34092 ‘City of Wells’ and the recently-arrived Battle of Britain Class, 34081 ’92 Squadron’.
There’s also a number of dining experiences to make the most of too.
Rail enthusiasts can either enjoy an authentic ‘Golden Arrow’ menu on Friday 14 March aboard a traditional Pullman-styled carriage hauled by one of the Southern locomotives, or even take the unique opportunity to ride the iconic ‘Tornado on Saturday 15 March and indulge in fine dining options while travelling through the picturesque Irwell Valley.
East Lancashire Railway’s Legends of Steam festival will be back next month / Credit: ELR
“We are very proud to continue welcoming a great number of iconic locomotives to the ELR,” explained Mike Kelly, who is the Chairman of the East Lancashire Railway.
“It is such a privilege to provide access to these express steam engines to the thousands of rail enthusiasts and families across the country, and also a great opportunity to introduce these legendary locomotives to first-timers wishing to experience the magic of rail travel.”
East Lancashire Railway’s Legends of Steam returns on Friday 14 – Sunday 16 March 2025.
Emily Sergeant -
21st May 2021 
