Green light for £70m retail and leisure scheme

Plans for the £70m Rochdale Riverside retail and leisure development has been approved by the town’s councillors.

The scheme will be delivered jointly by Genr8 Developments and Kajima in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council.

Demolition works have already been completed and construction works are scheduled to commence by autumn with the scheme set to open for trade in mid-2019.

Phase one of the scheme is in excess of 200,000sq ft and comprises 24 retail and leisure units ranging from 1,000sq ft to 20,000sq ft, together with a six screen cinema and approximately 340 car parking spaces.

It is anchored by a 50,000sq ft M&S and a Next store. Reel Cinemas will operate the cinema which will sit above the retail and leisure element of the scheme. The retail units will all be constructed to a height of around 10 metres to allow retailers to trade from both ground and mezzanine levels.

Planning approval has also been given in outline for phase two, which will see a further investment into the town centre, with new offices, hotel, apartments and commercial uses.

Cllr Richard Farnell, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This is another step forward for this important project.

“We have been really pleased with the substantial levels of interest we have received from a diverse mix of high quality retail and leisure operators.

“These new stores and high street names will attract new shoppers back to town and give a massive boost to local businesses, creating 1,000 new jobs and boosting the local economy by more than £17m.

“Rochdale Riverside is an important part of our £250m regeneration programme, which has transformed Rochdale beyond all recognition since 2010.

“This latest milestone represents the next step forward for our Borough as we continue to strive for further growth and new opportunities for our local people and businesses.”

Mike Smith, partner at Genr8 Developments, said: “We’ve worked very closely with the Council on Rochdale Riverside to ensure that our approach to this important scheme is in line with its own aspirations for the site and the Borough.

“We recognise that this scheme will play a significant role in the regeneration of Rochdale and it is therefore imperative that we attract the right mix of occupiers to boost the local economy and establish Rochdale as a key leisure and retail destination.

“We are in detailed discussions with other major brands and will be making more exciting announcements in the coming weeks.”

Julian Rudd-Jones, managing director Kajima Partnerships, said: “This is a key milestone in realising the regeneration of Rochdale town centre in partnership with the Borough Council and other local stakeholders.  We have supported Genr8 on this scheme since 2010 and look forward to starting on site later in the year.”

DPP is the planning advisor on the scheme which has been designed by TP Bennett Architects. Appointed letting agents are Cheetham & Mortimer and Lambert Smith Hampton who are handling all rental and leisure enquires.