Council secures future of Rochdale market

Rochdale Council has taken control of Rochdale market following the sale of the Exchange shopping centre.

The right to run the town’s market is known as the market charter. This allows the council to run the market itself. The new agreement sees the council taking back control of the market to protect its immediate future. The long term aim is to work with traders and the community to develop it further.

Councillor Peter Williams, Cabinet Member for Economic Development at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Closing Rochdale market was never an option for us. Rochdale is a market town and we want to give our town the market it deserves.

“We will be looking at a number of options in the coming months in full consultation with the market traders and members of the public. We have two other successful markets in Heywood and Middleton. There is no reason Rochdale market cannot be the same, this is a great opportunity for us to create a vibrant market in the heart of our town centre which will support the wider regeneration opportunities brought by the town centre east development, the Metrolink and the new transport interchange.”

The move follows the sale of the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre which sees ownership transfer from Cooperative Insurance to LaSalle Investment Management.

James Boyd-Phillips, head of retail, LaSalle Investment Management, said: “The acquisition of Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre highlights our continued intention to invest capital in assets requiring proactive asset management. The transfer of the control of the market to the council is key within this strategy in Rochdale to deliver a strong town centre retail offer. We work closely with local councils across our portfolio to ensure that our asset management strategy supports the existing and prospective retailers and is reflective of what the catchment needs and desires.”

Councillor Colin Lambert, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Bringing the market back under the direct ownership of the people of Rochdale has long been part of the dream for the future prosperity of our town. This is another step towards an improved and regenerated Rochdale town centre. This represents another step back to the future for the betterment of our town.”