1927 Rochdale advert prompts criticism of current £67,000 rebrand

Spotland Area Forum Secretary Mick Coats with the 1927 map of Rochdale.

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Save Spodden Valley campaigners have discovered an 82 year old document advertising Rochdale.

The advertisement, found in the Local Studies Archive at Touchstones, was originally placed in a Turner Brothers Asbestos booklet. It consists of a line drawn map of Rochdale, dated 1927, while a separate caption lists the benefits that Rochdale had to offer.

The advertisement describes: “A progressive and well governed town. Healthy Surroundings. Moorland breezes. Cheap gas and electricity. Plentiful water supply. Efficient municipal services. Sites for industrial development. Excellent transport and communications. Good roads.”

Also described on the map of Rochdale: “Motorbuses and trams operate on all the roads indicated.”

The quaint artwork was penned by Rochdale borough surveyor and architect S.H Morgan. It appears that the advertisement was placed at no cost to Rochdale ratepayers.

Research indicates there was a close connection with the Turner family and Rochdale politics. Family members of the “Turner Brothers” asbestos magnates have been mayors of Rochdale; John Turner 1895-7, Sir Samuel Turner 1901-03 and Richard Turner 1915-17. For decades, the Turner family remained a powerful influence in local matters.

The discovery of the 1927 Rochdale advertisement has raised new questions about the controversial £67,000 're-branding' of Rochdale currently being undertaken by a Hull based consultancy.

Spotland Area Forum Secretary Mick Coats has questioned the 'rebrand' spending at recent meetings. He told Rochdale Online: “At a time when local businesses are facing tough economic challenges and council services and workers face savage cuts, why is so much money being wasted on outside consultants attempting to 'rebrand' Rochdale?

“Looking at the 1927 advertisement it seems we have gone backwards in Rochdale and as a result we are all paying a bitter price for that."