Bright future for shops given colourful facelift as part of major heritage project

Friday, 19 August 2022 14:31

By Adam Clark

A row of shops in Rochdale town centre has been given a new lease of life thanks to a series of colourful, Victorian-style facelifts.

The South Parade and Drake Street Property Improvement Scheme, a collaboration between Rochdale Borough Council and Historic England, has transformed 12 shops with a bright new look.

The 19th century properties sit within the town centre conservation area but were in a poor condition and had mostly lost their original external features. Their renovation is part of the council and Historic England’s Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) project, which began in 2018.
Painted in striking colours, such as the Post Office in its signature red, the whole area now has a new lease of life and a more uniform and appealing look.

The council project was managed by Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) with partners Rosslee. As well as the bright new shops fronts, repairs were also carried out on roofs, drainage systems, windows, and brickwork.

Councillor John Blundell, the council’s cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “This key part of Rochdale town centre is once again something everyone can be proud of. The new shopfronts are eye-catching and have transformed an area that had become dilapidated and was letting the town down.

“We are seeing a large number of shops open for business, bringing life to the high street. This proves that the foresight the council had to invest, along with our partner, Historic England, has really borne fruit.”

The HAZ is centred on Drake Street, the historic route from the railway station down to the Grade I listed Town Hall. The scheme provides grants for repairs to buildings, encourages sustainable regeneration and is re-engaging residents, businesses and visitors with the town’s rich industrial and social heritage.

The total direct investment by the council in the HAZ over the five years of the programme will be £2.3m with an additional £594,000 from Historic England and approximately £2m of private sector investment.

Zinnie Denby-Mann, Historic Places Adviser at Historic England, said: “We’ve been delighted to witness the pride and commitment of a range of local people who’ve been driving this programme of heritage-led improvements forward.

“Residents, small business owners, the Co-operative Enterprise Hub and our partners at Rochdale Council have all worked together alongside contractors to restore these street frontages which are such a focal point for Rochdale.”