How not to win £1 million!

Screenshot of the poor quality video fronted by Debbie O'Brien

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Town centre retailers are in despair at the poor quality of a video entered by Rochdale in an attempt to win a million pounds.

The £1 million ‘Future High Street X-Fund’ is up for grabs for creative and effective schemes that have been completed to rejuvenate town centres. The competition closed on 6 December 2012 and entrants had to compile a video to support their bid.

Rochdale's video is fronted by Town Centre Management CEO Debbie O'Brien.

One retailer, who did not wish to be named, said: "I have to say that if you are really wanting to demonstrate innovation and improvements to our town centre that would warrant being rewarded with a government grant of £1 million and being the ‘winner’ of the X Fund, suffice to say, a video of that quality does not do that."

Another added: "Debbie is a nice woman but she is no presenter, she is hesitant and can clearly be seen constantly glancing down to her right to read her notes. Surely we have someone with the charisma and presence to front what needed to be a much more polished presentation?"

The criticism echoes that levelled during the 'Portas Pilot' bids, both of which failed, though it is fair to say at least the videos accompanying those bids, however flawed the bids, were of a better quality.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/71821/rochdales-second-portas-pilot-bid-has-failed

The awards will be made before the end of March 2013.