About Rochdale

Rochdale takes it's name from its position on the River Roche and is probably best known for its Co-op, the beginning of the Co-operative movement, which today still includes the well known national supermarket chain Rochdale is also well known for its textile industries including cotton, silk and wool and is twinned with Bielefeld in Germany and Tourcoing in France. Situated at the foot of the Pennines – also known as “the back-bone of England”.

Its magnificent Town Hall built in 1871 takes pride of place in the centre of Rochdale, its original clock tower destroyed by fire in 1883 and rebuilt in 1887 is also home to a majestic stained glass window, that was supposed to be one of Adolf Hitler's priority acquisitions should he have won the war.

To commemorate the peace between the two counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire the statues of golden lions situated at the front of the hall are decorated with the Lancashire and Yorkshire emblems on them

Standing proud on the Rochdale Town Hall you will find 4 flags dedicated to the memory of those who lost their life during the war.

The town itself hosts a great many shops, with a daily market indoor and outdoor, and boasts two shopping centre's with many well know stores. There are also many specialised stores surrounding on Drake St, Yorkshire St, Cheetham Street and The Walk.

In the evening the town lights up offering many bars, restaurants and night clubs for those who wish to dance the night away.
The Borough of Rochdale’s location, the northeast of Greater Manchester and straddling the transpennine M62, makes it convenient for travel in all directions.

No point in the Borough is more than three miles from a junction of the M66, M62 or the new Manchester Orbital M60, giving access to the extensive system of motorways in the region and to the national road network.