M&S back on board for Rochdale Riverside development

High street giant Marks & Spencer has had a change of heart over the £80m Rochdale Riverside scheme.

It is part of an overall £250m investment in the town centre, including a Metrolink extension to Manchester.

The retailer announced in November 2017 that it intended to pull out of plans for an anchor site within the development.

But in an about turn it has decided that it will now commit to occupying space within the project.

The chain caused consternation when it backed out of taking a 55,000 sq ft unit it had signed for, preferring instead to remain in its Yorkshire Street unit.

But after an emergency meeting of Rochdale Council in January, councillors declared that they expected the retailer to “honour its commitment” having signed a “legally binding contract”.

Council chief executive, Steve Rumbelow, said at the time: “Marks & Spencer should be under no illusion that we expect them to fulfil their legal obligation to Rochdale and the new retail scheme.”

An M&S spokesperson said the new unit, which is expected to open in 18 months’ time, will offer M&S clothing and home lines, as well as a café.

Rochdale Borough Council leader, Cllr Allen Brett, said: “Today’s confirmation that M&S will be part of our fantastic £80m Rochdale Riverside development, despite challenging trading conditions for high street stores up and down the country, is testament to the huge potential they see in our town and its continuing transformation.

“Rochdale Riverside will change the face of Rochdale, bringing more top quality high street stores to the heart of the town centre, alongside a six screen cinema and a number of restaurants and cafes.”

Council chief executive, Steve Rumbelow, added: “Rochdale is undergoing a significant renaissance in terms of public realm and its retail and leisure offer and M&S’s commitment to our new scheme is further evidence that the £250m regeneration of the town centre is strengthening the town’s reputation.

“With a further £150m set to be invested in Rochdale town centre over the next five years, it’s a very exciting time for Rochdale and we’re thrilled that M&S has reaffirmed its commitment to the scheme.”

Manchester-based Genr8 Developments is the developer behind the renovation scheme and Genr8 partner, Mike Smith, said: “We are delighted that M&S has reconfirmed its commitment to Rochdale Riverside.

“Construction is well under way, and we are on-track to open to the public, Easter 2020.

“We have a fantastic line-up of tenants already committed to the scheme with further announcements imminent.”

Fashion chain Next and Reel Cinemas are also signed up as tenants for Rochdale Riverside.

The development will include 24 retail and leisure units, 350 parking spaces, and a six-screen cinema over 200,000 sq ft.

The first phase of the development, which could create more than 1,000 jobs, boosting the local economy by £17m a year, received planning permission in April 2017.