Positive image a MUST for our town centre

Posted By: Zulfiqar Ali
Date Posted: 19/08/2009

Save our Town Centre is not the type of message we want to be sending to potential investors in our Town Centre. As a former Town Centre Trader, I know the difficulties that many traders face, but spreading doom and gloom is not helpful at all. What we need to do, whilst looking forward to our regeneration is to support our existing traders. Rochdale has a wealth of small, independent retailers who give our Town its identity.

We need to look at potential schemes to improve the footfall in our Town Centre. I remember my attempts to improve my business chances ending up in Private Eye when I offered a discount voucher on one of my leaflets. This was well out of election time but was criticised by the opposition who had done far worse in the previous election. (SEE PRIVATE EYE December 2008 Currying Flavour Award) Like any business owner, I was determined to keep my head above water. Unfortunately, I lost my battle to stay open but this stiffened my resolve to help others.

Going back to Labour’s “Save our Town Centre” Campaign, this is as misleading as it is negative. Whilst no one doubts that there are challenging times ahead for our Town, to market any campaign in this way is counter productive. Things are happening in Rochdale and this week’s report by the Audit Commission proves this. Rochdale was one of a small select number of councils to be included, citing examples of councils dealing well with the recession, made worst by this Labour Government’s failure to plan properly for this. Well done to Council Officers and Lead Members on the Council! The number of negative stories emanating from the opposition Labour Group here must be hugely frustrating for them – the ‘Save our Town Centre’ Campaign being a classic, but by no means isolated example.

Let me give readers a history lesson – whilst the opposition look to places like Bury as examples of a town re-inventing itself, it must be noted that that their plans started in the late nineties. Rochdale was led by Labour for decades and they failed to act! We often speak of decades of Labour neglect and this is what we refer to. The big plans for Rochdale Town Centre were kick started in 2004, when Paul Rowen, then Council Leader led the Council.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day’ is certainly applicable to our Town Centre, but it’s clear on a number of vital aspects of our exciting, yes exciting plans the seed was planted then. Since then, the jigsaw has started to come together! It doesn’t take rocket science to understand that we markedly need to increase the number of people that visit our Town Centre to give businesses the best possible chance!

That is why I am pleased that work has started on our new sixth form college. As Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, I am delighted to see the college going up. Paul Rowen MP led the campaign and we were right behind him.

The next thing to look at is transport and as Rochdale’s former Transport Boss, I am pleased to welcome Metrolink to our Town. Areas already receiving Metrolink like Bury and Brooklands have seen the regeneration benefit that improved transport services bring. Of course we have had to fight for this after almost 20 years of Conservative and then Labour Government false promises. Councillor Alan Taylor, our Council Leader played a key role in ensuring that Metrolink came into the heart of our Town. Work starts next year and this will eventually link us up to the new transport interchange.

Work will start on this in spring next year and will see our current bus station replaced to suit the needs of the people of town. Of course by then, we will be consulting on our exciting plans for the complete redevelopment of our Town Centre, the building of our new Council Offices and much more. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we need to pull together to ensure the success.

Councillor Ibrar Khan asks ‘What are we doing now’ – well my colleague Councillor Greg Couzens has set out much of this. The Audit Commission has confirmed our progress and we are pleased to have received a glowing report from a Government Watchdog. Labour jump on any criticism we may receive from the AC but ignore it when we are getting things right!

So our Town Centre, rather than needing ‘saving’ needs a lift up and the signs are that we are moving forward and will be continuing to talk to businesses, listening to their concerns and ensuring that our current traders share our vision, prosper during difficult times and continuing to do the excellent job they do!