Wilson Bowden Appointed for Rochdale Town Centre Transformation
Wilson Bowden
has been selected as the developer to deliver the £250
million redevelopment of Rochdale town centre which will create a vibrant
retail heart.
Following detailed public consultation, Rochdale Borough Council’s
Town Centre Committee unanimously agreed to appoint Wilson Bowden. Their
proposals are to redevelop the town centre with new retailers, including
major department stores, restaurants, cafes, bars and apartments.
The
designs, which local people were consulted on in December 2007, also include:
- The
formation of a new retail circuit with attractive squares connecting into
the Exchange Centre and Yorkshire Street
- 350,000 sq ft of
new retail floor space
- A new central area
with an iconic sculpture
- A new arts centre
- A major food store
- 1,200 new car parking
spaces in a multi-storey car park
The multi-million pound proposals are part
of a wider masterplan for the area that will involve building a new transport
interchange and the creation of new state-of-the-art civic offices, other
employment uses and public facilities.
The
proposals will now be developed into a detailed plan for the area and further
public consultation will take place early in 2009 with construction likely
to start in 2010.
National regeneration agency, English Partnerships, is an
active partner with Rochdale Council and has provided detailed expertise
and advice throughout the developer selection process. Rochdale Development
Agency has managed the robust selection process on behalf of Rochdale Council,
with specialist commercial and legal advice provided by DTZ and Hammonds
respectively.
Councillor Alan Taylor, leader of Rochdale Borough Council,
said: "This
is great news and is a major step forward in transforming the town centre
into something distinctive. Following a robust selection process, we are
delighted to have finally secured a developer that will make Rochdale stand
out from the crowd and not just be like every other town across the region.
The next stage now will be to develop Wilson Bowden's proposals into a detailed
plan, with further public consultation taking place in early 2009. This is
an exciting time for Rochdale and I look forward to being able to see the
developer's plans take shape over the next twelve months."
Nick Richardson, Managing Director, Wilson Bowden Developments, said: “Wilson
Bowden Developments are delighted to be selected as partners to Rochdale
Metropolitan Borough Council, Rochdale Development Agency and English Partnerships
to help deliver the regeneration of the town centre. We have a major
opportunity to achieve a transformational change for the town, a change that
will vastly enhance the retail and leisure offer within the town. We
are looking forward to working in the partnership in continuing to deliver
Rochdale’s vision as a thriving place for people to work, live and
visit”.
Paul Spooner, Regional Director of English Partnerships, said: “We
are very pleased to be supporting this stage of this important and exciting
redevelopment scheme. We recognise the crucial importance of a strong and
vibrant town centre to the wider regeneration of Rochdale and we all feel
the Wilson Bowden scheme offers the potential to transform the current town
centre.”
John Hudson, Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency, said: “The
selection of our private development partner is an important milestone. We
look forward to working with the Wilson Bowden team to advance our plans
to revitalise the town centre as a shopping and leisure location, but also
as an attractive place to live and work.”
Three developers had been
short listed from an initial list of ten, with public consultation carried
out during 2006 and 2007.
Alan Black, Director at DTZ, said: “The process
has been one of the most thorough and robust developer selection competitions
I have been involved in. The developer with the best track record and best
ideas to enable a step change in the future of Rochdale town centre has been
chosen.”
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