This is Rochdale
Rochdale, one of the greenest boroughs in Greater Manchester and where the global co-operative movement began. That bold dynamic spirit demonstrated by those original Rochdale Pioneers can still be seen today. Rochdale is redefining itself with ambitious regeneration well underway. Metrolink tram stops, extensive rail links and just a short drive to Manchester Airport - Rochdale is extremely well connected.
The town hall is a Victorian Gothic masterpiece, widely recognised as one of the finest in Europe. In 2016 the River Roch was uncovered, and now runs through the town centre again.
A place with a future as exciting as its past
Located between Manchester and the beautiful moorland of the Pennines, there's more to Rochdale than you think. While the countryside provides tranquillity, the borough’s towns of Heywood, Middleton and Littleborough celebrate the fact that they were an early powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution.
Today the energy, ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit that shaped the past, is at the heart of their approach to meeting the council’s ambitions for Rochdale and its residents.
Kingsway Business Park is one of the most active regeneration projects in the UK.
Metrolink has arrived into the town centre and a new state of the art £12 million Transport Interchange has opened its doors. A new retail and leisure development is on the way too.
Rochdale’s Sixth Form College is outstanding and the best college in the country for value added performance in the Department for Education’s performance league tables. Nearby Hopwood Hall College is the best performing college in Greater Manchester, according to government’s national success rates league tables.
Thirteen schools have been re-built or refurbished as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme and 85% of the area’s schools are rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Employment prospects are looking increasingly promising too, with numbers of young people aged 16-18 not in education, employment or training at an all-time low, and the borough seeing the highest increase in Apprenticeships in Greater Manchester.
A proud place, with a great history, now starting to see the results from years of hard work, planning and investment. With easy access to the motorway network, the cities of Manchester and Leeds are both close by.
One of the best places to work in the UK
Number One Riverside on Smith Street in Rochdale was named as the 2014 best workplace in the country at the British Council for Offices’ (BCO) annual National Awards. This is in addition to another 6 awards.
Stunning countryside
Rochdale is an ideal centre for exploring the Pennines - an outstandingly beautiful part of Lancashire with its wide, open moorland, wooded valleys, distinctive towns and villages.
There are plenty of opportunities for sport, leisure, relaxation and discovery, in an area renowned for its warm and friendly welcome.
When you are looking for a little retail therapy you will find a tempting array of shops. Shopping in the Pennines is a very enjoyable pastime - the compact streets are ideal for browsing and make a pleasant change from the towns and cities. You will be sure to find everything you need from your daily requirements to that elusive special gift to take home.
There are fabulous independent and individual shops offering antiques, books, paintings and pottery, jewellery, speciality foods and local produce as well as designer clothes, shoes, gifts, and traditional toys.
Many of the smallest villages have well stocked general stores for all your day to day needs too.
You’ll find a variety of days out, events and things to do.
There will always be something to suit your taste, whether it’s family fun, an interesting day out or an event of specialist interest. There are festivals, fairs and shows to visit; however the beauty of the area and its all year round entertainment will ensure you’ll always find plenty to do during the winter and autumn too!
Rochdale really is a great place to live. Millions of pounds are being invested in new, modern housing right across the borough. Put simply, there’s something for everyone – from stylish apartments to spacious family homes. But if something traditional is more to your taste, you’ll find plenty of well-established properties too.
With bustling towns, award-winning parks, leisure centres, sports facilities, rolling countryside and more, Rochdale is also a great choice when it comes to recreation.
We have friendly pubs and restaurants, and good quality hotels. While the recently completed Oldham and Rochdale Metrolink line offers easy, frequent access to the centre of Manchester and beyond.
Rochdale doesn’t just have the space for business. It has the transport links and infrastructure that are vital for success.
In fact, with unrivalled motorway links, including easy access to three junctions of the M62 (Kingsway Business Park is located straight off the motorway), Rochdale borough really is the perfect location for businesses that are going places.
Add dedicated Metrolink tram stops, extensive rail links and just a short drive to Manchester Airport and Rochdale is extremely well connected – globally!
Choose Rochdale and you’re well connected.
Chef Nisha Katona at Rochdale Feel Good Festival.
Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon, 10K and Fun Run.
4. BBC6 Music broadcasting live from Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival.
Middleton Arena plays host to top comedians, national tours, concerts and sports events.
Rochdale chef, Andrew Nutter.
Middleton Arena, a multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue.
The Old Boars Head, Middleton.
Rapper, Testament performs at Hopwood Hall College Theatre, Middleton.
The borough hosts major events each year, attracting visitors from across the UK, including Rochdale Feel Good Festival, Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon, 10K & Fun Run, Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival. The boroughs Middleton Arena plays host to top comedians, national tours, concerts and sports events.
Film crews are a regular sight in the borough with soaps, dramas, history documentaries and films recorded here in recent years.