Local Churches discuss Town Centre Redevelopment with Councillors

Date published: 06 July 2007

Cutgate Baptist Church was the venue for Council staff and Councillors Greg Couzens and Ashley Dearnley to give a presentation on the town centre redevelopment plans.

Pastor Brian Drury from Cutgate Baptist Church and Reverend Lynne Connolly from St. Clements attended the evening as did Councillors Jane and Jim Gartside, many local people and members of Norden, Bamford and Spotland churches.

The evening was put on at the request of members of the clergy who had some questions about the town centre redevelopment and wanted more information.

After the formal presentation Councillors Couzens and Dearnley jointly answered questions from the audience, this ranged across a number of topics both positive and negative.

Councillor Dearnley stressed during the meeting that "this was our last chance to make things right for Rochdale’.

Councillor Couzens, also a town centre businessman for 25 years, agreed and highlighted the need to encourage investment and shoppers back into the town centre. He, like Councillor Dearnley, was delighted to see clergy and community interest in the town centre redevelopment and hopes the largely positive spirit of the meeting can continue elsewhere.

If the current proposals for the town centre were implemented Councillor Couzens is confident that it would be the "rebirth of the heart of Rochdale’.