Castleton businesses set for £600,000 shopfront transformation boost

Thursday, 29 May 2025 12:46

By David Murphy

A £600,000 council-backed scheme aims to revitalise Castleton town centre with funding for shop repairs and historic restorations

Castleton businesses are being offered a share of £600,000 to improve the look of their shops and help breathe new life into the town centre.

Rochdale Council has approved the funding as part of a wider plan to regenerate Castleton and support local traders. Business owners in the town centre will be able to apply for grants of up to £30,000 to carry out repairs and upgrades to their shopfronts.

The money can be used for a range of improvements, such as fixing worn-out brickwork, adding better lighting, updating signage, or restoring original features that give buildings their character.

The scheme is being run by the Rochdale Development Agency, who will now start contacting businesses directly. Drop-in sessions will also be held at Castleton Community Centre, where business owners can find out how to apply and ask questions about the process.

Councillor Danny Meredith, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said the funding could help traders attract more customers – especially with hundreds of new homes being built nearby.

“There’s already been a lot of positive change in Castleton, and this new funding will help shop owners invest in their properties and benefit from the new residents moving into the area,” he said.

Recent housing developments include more than 190 homes being built by Kellen Homes on former railway land, 198 properties at Calico Grove, and over 100 homes already completed at Weavers Fold off Nixon Street.

Other improvements in Castleton include better roads and pavements, a new cycle lane, extra parking and a refurbished children’s play area at Smalley’s Park. There are also long-term hopes to extend the East Lancashire Railway from Heywood to Castleton, bringing in more visitors.

Councillor Aisling-Blaise Gallagher, who chairs the Rochdale South Township Committee, added: “This is great news for Castleton. It’s another step forward in making the town centre more attractive and supporting the local economy.”

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