Community hub opens at the heart of Kirkholt

The Strand hub is officially opened by Tony Lloyd MP and Cllr Mohammed Zaman, Mayor of Rochdale

Residents in Kirkholt can enjoy new community facilities after the new Strand community hub was declared officially open in a celebration attended by local residents, Mayor of Rochdale Cllr Mohammed Zaman, Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd, and representatives from RBH and Rochdale Council on Friday 7 December 2018.

The new hub has been built through a partnership between Rochdale Council and RBH, along with a brand new parade of shops and 16 new apartments for affordable rent, delivered with the support of Homes England.

The new building was designed by Manchester-based Triangle Architects and built by Bardsley Construction Ltd, with interior fittings by MRL Design.

Local residents will have access to a wide range of facilities at the new hub. The RBH drop-in service has relocated to the new building, with 30 hours per week drop-in access for residents and public internet access. The Kirkholt Pantry project has a dedicated space in the new building, and the new community cafe is due to open soon. The first floor community space has a large community hall, a training kitchen, and a community training room, all for the benefit of local people and local groups based in Kirkholt and in the wider Rochdale area.

Tony Lloyd MP said: “It is an absolute pleasure to declare the Strand community hub officially open. The hub is part of wider investment in new homes, shops and facilities to make sure that Kirkholt is a great place to live and work. It's a great example of partnership working – with RBH and Rochdale Council working together to invest in the Kirkholt community.”

Gareth Swarbrick, RBH Chief Executive, said: “When RBH became a mutual in 2012, we were clear that one of our priorities was investment in Kirkholt. We were also clear that we would continue our work as a good partner with the Council.

“The buildings here at the Strand are part of a package of investment for Kirkholt which includes RBH investment in existing homes, building new homes and the homes, shops and community hub at the Strand. There are further new homes and additional investment in our existing homes planned over the coming years.

“The investment has also been supported by Homes England with over £2.7 million grant funding spent in Kirkholt since 2012, including support for the new apartments at The Strand.”

Cllr Allan Brett, leader of Rochdale Council, said: “It is never easy making a scheme like this happen, but there was an absolute commitment from both RBH and Rochdale Council to get to the best solution for the community. This fantastic new facility is testament to a huge number of people in the Council, RBH, and the community who have made this happen by working together.”