Council's director of economy hits back at 'least vibrant' tag for Rochdale economy

John Searle, Director of Economy at Rochdale Borough Council

Rochdale Borough Council's director of economy has hit back at a study that says Rochdale's economy is one of the ‘least vibrant’ in Greater Manchester.

Business advisory group Grant Thornton ranked the borough as the second lowest in the region in terms of a vibrant economy.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/118422/rochdale%E2%80%99s-economy-one-of-the-%E2%80%98least-vibrant%E2%80%99-in-greater-manchester

John Searle says such studies provide a very limited snapshot and never tell the whole story; in painting a very different picture to the study, he cites £32.6m of private sector investment attracted to the borough in the past year.

He said: “Bringing more jobs and investment into the borough for the benefit of our residents is one of our top priorities. We offer a comprehensive support package to encourage new companies to come into the borough and help existing businesses expand.

"This approach is clearly paying dividends, as in the last year the council has attracted £32.6m of private sector investment, helped businesses create 363 new jobs and worked with 4,000 residents to improve their chances of getting a job, as well as helping 564 unemployed residents get jobs.”