Sit back and enjoy the view as Rochdale unveils outdoor gallery in town hall square

Thursday, 4 September 2025 12:50

By David Murphy

A new open-air art gallery has been unveiled in front of Rochdale’s historic town hall, offering residents and visitors a place to pause, reflect, and enjoy local creativity.

A series of striking double-sided display panels with built-in seating now forms the newly launched ‘Square Gallery’ on Rochdale Town Hall Square. The 12 square panels will host rotating exhibitions every few months, creating a public platform for local artists, poets, and community groups to showcase their work.

The installation is part of a wider effort to boost culture and community engagement during Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture. Funded through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and administered by Arts Council England, the gallery complements other enhancements to the square, including new paving, lighting, and landscaping.

The gallery’s first exhibition features highlights from the town’s cultural calendar so far and gives a taste of what’s to come. It includes poetry from the town’s poet laureate, a cultural map of Rochdale, and a social media backdrop for visitors to share their experience online.

Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council, said:

“The Square Gallery is a fantastic addition to the town centre. With thousands of people passing through each week, this makes art a part of everyday life. It’s practical too – the seating makes it a place to rest and take in the surroundings. I encourage local artists to get in touch if they want to exhibit.”

Jen Cleary, north west director at Arts Council England, described the launch as “an exciting moment” for Rochdale’s creative scene.

“It adds an extra dimension to the redeveloped town square, opening up new opportunities for artists and the public alike. I’m sure it will quickly become a cherished part of the town.”

The Square Gallery joins another outdoor cultural display on Drake Street, which launched earlier this year and features the work of 30 local artists.

Rochdale has already hosted major public events on the square in recent months, drawing over 20,000 visitors. These include the Feel Good Family Picnic, Merhaba Halal Food Festival, Side-by-Side Festival, and the Flight of Fancy Parade.

Looking ahead, a takeover by the Rochdale Youth Arts Festival is planned for March 2026 as a finale to the Town of Culture year. Programming is led by Rochdale Creates, a collaboration of arts groups across the borough.

To enquire about staging an exhibition, email admin@rochdalecreates.co.uk Applicants must cover printing and installation costs.

The gallery sits within Rochdale’s broader Town of Culture celebrations, which include exhibitions, performances, and festivals that reflect the town’s diversity, history, and creative spirit. More information is available at https://rochdale.gov.uk/TownOfCulture and https://rochdalecreates.co.uk

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