Strategy to address the prolonged decline of Drake Street

Drake Street

One of Rochdale’s historic shopping streets, forming part of Rochdale Town Centre Conservation Area, Drake Street has witnessed prolonged decline in recent decades.

It is now characterised by high vacancy rates, low value uses, a decreasing footfall and is now primarily used as a major gateway into the town.

Progress of the Drake Street strategy was approved by the Council cabinet on Tuesday (25 September).

The Drake Street strategy aims to increase the residential population of the street and create a positive new identity for the former shopping street.

To date grants have been provided to support the development of 13 residential places, attract a new business to the street and purchase two buildings.

Through the strategy, Drake Street has also been awarded a Heritage Action Zone status, a partnership with Historic England providing grants of £600,000.

The Heritage Action Zone will run until 2023 and aims to remove the town centre conservation area from the Heritage at Risk register, create 180 new residential units and establish 10 new businesses.

Councillor Allen Brett, leader of the council, said: “We have got to get away from the focus of Drake Street as a shopping street, but it is a very nice street to live on.”

Formerly Butterworth’s jewellers, approval also was given for 14 Drake Street to be leased to the Co-operative College for a peppercorn rent, to facilitate the creation of the Co-operative Enterprise Hub, an initiative for young people to develop business and entrepreneurial skills, following co-operative principles.