Work to create a stylish new entrance for the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre is nearing completion, with the contractors putting the finishing touches to the scheme.
The new glass-fronted entrance on Baillie Street is now open to the public and boasts six new escalators and two new lifts.
Property services provider Styles&Wood is now completing the second lift and two new retail kiosks on the ground floor facing Baillie Street which will be available for businesses to let.
Moves to create a more inviting and accessible entrance are expected to increase shopper numbers to the Wheatsheaf and make it easier for people to get around the town centre.
In the longer term, it is expected to help create an improved Wheatsheaf Centre by making it easier to attract new retailers to the site. It will also be a vital link between the new town centre east development and the well-established shops in Yorkshire Street and the Exchange Shopping Centre.
Rochdale Borough Council Leader, Richard Farnell, said: “This work is yet another fantastic scheme which is being delivered as part of the £250m regeneration of Rochdale town centre. An improved Wheatsheaf Centre is an important part of our regeneration plans. It will better connect the different parts of our town centre and create a superb offer alongside our proposed new leisure and retail development at town centre east, our reopened River Roch and the town centre market.”
Debbie Hernon, Manager of the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to all our customers for their patience on this huge project that is now nearly at the finishing line. The new entrance really opens up the centre making shops such as New Look, Wilko’s, Argos and Select even more accessible to our loyal customers and together with great connectivity to the upper end of Yorkshire Street we would like to encourage you all to take a fresh look at the Wheatsheaf”
Gideon Levene, Head of Projects at Styles&Wood said: “It’s been great to be involved in this project, working alongside Rochdale Development Agency and Rochdale Borough Council to play a part in the development of the town centre.”
15 Jul 2015