Make Woolworth’s distribution/offices Rochdale’s ‘Affleck’s Palace’

Date published: 05 October 2009

Frank Salt, Independent candidate in Castleton at the next local elections, is urging Rochdale Borough Council to think beyond Rochdale town centre in supporting local business. Mr Salt’s idea is the Council should locate its proposed ‘Affleck’s Palace’ at the former Woolworth’s Distribution and Office site in Castleton.

Mr Salt says the site is big enough to create a significant retail environment that will be of benefit not just to Castleton but to all the residents of the borough – Castleton is the geographic centre of the borough with easy access from Heywood and Middleton, as well as Rochdale, and is close to the motorway and rail network. He said: “ The Council is wanting to create a retail environment with a difference and here is the ideal opportunity, the site is huge, has an abundance of on site parking space and there would be no problems with traders loading in and out as the site was designed for just such a purpose.

"I hope the Council will see what an imaginative project this could be and at the very least give it serious consideration”

Rochdale Finance Portfolio holder Councillor Greg Couzens, who had the idea of an Affleck’s Palace in Rochdale, said: “It is a very interesting proposition and one I shall put on the agenda for discussion and investigation. We have not yet decided on a suitable location, this is a possibility but would be dependent on cost.”

The site comprises of a self contained property, 327,086 sq ft (30,387 sq m) of warehouse accommodation and 124,603 sq ft (11,576 sq m) of office space with a large concrete surfaced service yard, external storage and parking and, in a major coup for a local commercial agent, Rochdale based Barton Kendal has been chosen, in competition with national agents, to market the former Woolworths site.