It’s official – Rochdale’s Number One Riverside is the best workplace in the UK

Number One Riverside, Rochdale’s flagship customer service centre, office and library building, has been named best of the best and the best corporate workplace in the country at a prestigious awards ceremony in London.

The flagship building beat off stiff competition from the likes of the Manchester Town Hall Extension and Number One Embankment Place in London to be named a national winner in two categories at the British Council of Offices (BCO) awards last night.

The BCO, described as the leading forum for the discussion of issues affecting the office sector, described the building as ‘a true success, meeting an exacting brief for a great looking and energy efficient building.’

It also said the building creates an excellent working environment, attractive and inviting public areas and will act as a catalyst for the much needed investment in Rochdale town centre.

The two awards are just the latest in a string of accolades handed to the building, which was opened to the public in March 2013. It has previously picked up seven awards, including the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Building of the Year 2013 and the Civil Trust Award 2014.

The building brought together 2,000 members of council staff and employees from partner agencies from 33 different locations across the borough, enabling the council to save a significant amount of money on running costs. Its environmentally friendly design also contributes to cheaper energy bills.

It is part of the wider £250m regeneration of Rochdale town centre, which has included the opening of a new Transport Interchange, a town centre Metrolink stop and a new leisure centre, all on Number One Riverside’s doorstep.

Cllr Richard Farnell, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said, “Number One Riverside is providing excellent facilities for our customers and residents and flexible space for council staff and partners. We had a fantastic team working on this project with the best of the public and private sector working together to create something really special here in Rochdale. These two National BCO Awards recognise our continuing commitment to drive forward the regeneration of Rochdale town centre and the wider borough and I hope these awards catch the interest of potential investors and developers who will want to share in our ambition and our vision for the future"

Steve McIntyre, from Arhictects Faulkner Browns, said: “These two awards are a fantastic achievement for us. They recognise the huge effort which both the client and design teams made to deliver an amazing town centre regeneration project for Rochdale Borough Council which combines efficiency with a truly flexible working environment. The BCO's Best of the Best Award is, in my view, the most prestigious and coveted accolade to achieve within the office sector – it is their Oscars and we are thrilled to have been honoured in this way.”

Customer Brandon Davies, who uses the library inside Number One Riverside regularly, said: “It’s a phenomenal improvement on the old black box. Architecturally it’s very nice, you don’t feel hemmed in. The council services are much more accessible and the library staff are incredibly helpful.”