Rochdale Borough Council has announced it intends to appoint market turnaround specialists Quarterbridge to take forward the redevelopment of Rochdale’s new market.
The decision means the ambition to create a thriving new market for Rochdale town centre is closer to being realised, with the council proposing to formally appoint the company in the coming weeks.
Consultants Quarterbridge were selected following a formal procurement process, with the council looking for an operator which can make the market an important part of a vibrant and successful town centre, helping to attract more visitors and focus on high-quality products, particularly fresh food.
Bidders were also asked to think about how they could promote and attract traders, and turn the market into a high-quality niche offer, to set it apart from other locations.
Councillor Richard Farnell, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “What we want for Rochdale is a thriving market, which will be a focal point of our regenerated town centre and attract visitors from far and wide, as well as providing a great, high quality shopping offer for our residents, alongside our new shopping and leisure development, Rochdale Riverside.
“With many years of experience both advising and running markets up and down the country, we feel that Quarterbridge are in the best position to drive these plans forward.”
A planning application for the new market was submitted late last year, with plans to move it from its temporary base to a new, permanent location on the Butts next to the re-opened River Roch, with the potential to create an indoor market hall and trader facilities in the neighbouring former Santander building, which the council has now purchased.
02 Feb 2017