Rochdale's second 'Portas Pilot' bid has failed

An artist impression of the Hive

The idea at the heart of Rochdale's second, failed, 'Portas Pilot' bid was essentially the same as the first bid, a portable entertainment station named The Hive - up to eight interactive and learning pods along with an outdoor auditorium including a stage and seating area for community use and a piece of public art.

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk believed the bid was a good one, he posted on Twitter: "Just seen the submission from Rochdale Council for second round of Portas Pilots. Great video, really strong bid."

However, members of the public remained highly sceptical, with disparaging remarks prevalent.

It appears the Portas judges also failed to be convinced the 'big idea' was worth supporting.

Of the 15 towns chosen to share £1.5million to improve their town centres, the closest to Rochdale is Liverpool!

The 15 areas chosen are: Ashford; Berwick; Braintree; London Road in Brighton; Hatfield; Royal Leamington Spa; Lodge Lane in Liverpool; the Cut in the Waterloo area of central London; Forest Hill in south London; Chrisp Street, Watney Market, Roman Road in Tower Hamlets, east London; Loughborough; Lowestoft; Morecambe; Rotherham, and Tiverton.

The 350 or so towns not selected, including Rochdale, in the two rounds can still bid for a share of a £5.5m pot for individual projects.

Rochdale town centre has a high number of empty shops and the number of shoppers has been falling.

Last week, the Department for Communities announced measures to try to revitalise High Streets, in response to recommendations in Ms Portas's report.

Ministers say they will cut red tape to make it easier for business people to move into empty premises and open so-called pop-up shops.

Retailers will now also have up to two years to apply for planning permission instead of having to do so immediately.

But critics suggest high rents and rates are a more serious obstacle to reviving High Streets.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/71131/second-portas-pilot-bid