Shopmobility opens new premises in Rochdale town centre

Mayor of Rochdale, Surinder Biant, and Mayoress Cecile Biant officially opening the new Shopmobility premises

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Rochdale’s Shopmobility has a new home following its move to a new site on River Street with the Mayor of Rochdale, Surinder Biant, officially opening the new premises this afternoon (Wednesday 22 July), with Councillor Allen Brett making a dedication.

The new building is part of the £250m regeneration of Rochdale Town Centre and has been purpose built for the charity.

Shopmobility recently had to vacate its site in the old bus station so the Council and Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) could press ahead with the regeneration of the town centre.

The charity moved to a temporary site on Baillie Street whilst work on new premises took place, and has now officially moved into its new permanent base.

Michelle Hollinrake, manager of Shopmobility, said: “It is a lovely building and we are really pleased with it.

"We opened in September 1993, so we are in our 22nd year this year so hopefully people will continue to support the cause.”

Shopmobility provides manual and powered wheelchairs, powered scooters and volunteers to help people with limited mobility get around the town centre to do their shopping.

The new premises, funded by Rochdale Borough Council’s Highways Minor Works programme and Shopmobility, forms part of a transport interchange, with the new bus station, Metrolink stop and River Street taxi rank all close by. A new cycle hub, where people can safely stow their bikes, is also set to be opened next to Shopmobility soon.

Local businesses were a key part in creating the new centre with Drake Street based architects Burr Design designing the scheme, whilst H Bell and Son constructed it. The kitchen and carpets were donated by the Pennine Kitchen Company and the Carpet & Flooring Depot.

The building includes a larger store room for the wheelchairs, a disabled toilet and office space for the staff.

Mark Widdup, Service Director for Economy and Environment at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “It’s great to see this fantastic new facility opening on River Street in the heart of Rochdale town centre’s new transport interchange as part of the huge redevelopment of the town centre, which is well under way.

“Shopmobility is a valuable charity, which helps people to stay independent and we’re glad that people will continue to be able to access all that Rochdale’s improving town centre has to offer from this brand new site.”