Heywood’s civic square to get overhaul

Wednesday, 9 April 2025 13:53

By George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter

Heywood’s civic square is about to get a complete makeover.

Plans for Peine Square, which were approved this week, will see it turned into a striking public space for events – and a place for people to simply relax.

Currently, the area on the doorstep of the civic centre is just paved with some trees and benches for public use.

But Rochdale Council wants to create new green spaces and seating areas to ‘encourage community interaction’, which can double up as a performance space.

The design incorporates new seating, footpaths, improved gardens and a flexible event space. The vision sees the flexible space catering for temporary market stalls, a stage, an outdoor cinema as well as food trucks – depending on the event.

When the proposal was launched earlier this year, Coun Danny Meredith, cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said: “Peine Square is an important area in the heart of Heywood, but it feels a little unloved at the moment.

“That’s why these proposals have been put together to transform this space into a vibrant area which will serve as a focal point for the community and as a space where fantastic events can be staged.

“Together with the ongoing work to completely revamp Heywood Civic Centre, these improvements will transform this key part of the town centre as part of our wider masterplan for this area.”

These proposals form part of a wider investment into Heywood. This includes the revamp of the civic centre, which is getting a new bar, seating, lighting and sound systems.

As the improvement works are carried out the council says they will move important local structures, like the Heywood book and the memorial benches, to other parts of the town centre to ensure people can still use them.