COMMUNITY NEWS ROCHDALE’S INDOOR MARKET OPENS ITS DOORS Rochdale’s brand new indoor market has now opened its doors to the public. The Rochdale Market Foodhall and Café is now operating from the former Santander building on The Butts, following a £750,000 transformation spearheaded by the council and Rochale Development Agency (RDA). The new market boasts a traditional butcher’s, a bakery and a greengrocer, as well as a café on the first floor which surrounds the building’s newly-constructed atrium. Stephen Bamford, who currently owns and manages Cryer’s butchers in Littleborough, has opened his latest venture, Rochdale’s Choice Family Butchers, within the market and is raring to go. He said: “The indoor market looks great and being close to a greengrocer’s and bakery is ideal, as it’s your classic market offer. Traditional butchers like ours are becoming very popular now because people know that if they buy from us, all their meat is locally-sourced and good quality.” And the owners of brand new café, Montague’s, are hoping to bring a taste of the Northern Quarter to their unit on the first floor with breakfast offerings like waffles with maple syrup and fruit compote and avocado on toast, as well as homemade cakes, freshly made sandwiches, soup and speciality pastries.
“I’ve always really believed in Rochdale town centre and our new unit is beautiful, particularly with its panoramic views over the River Roch and Rochdale Town Hall. The area around the newly reopened river is really blossoming and turning into a mini Northern Quarter, with new bars and restaurants, like the Medicine Tap and the Wellington. I think our offer here will really add to this mix”. The indoor market will operate alongside the outdoor market next to the re-opened river. The indoor market will be open Monday to Saturday, from 9am and 5pm, while the outdoor market is open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9am and 5pm. Councillor Allen Brett, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “A high-quality market is a crucial part of any successful town centre and I know our new market will play a major role in our redeveloped town centre, which is in the middle of a £400m transformation programme. “I’m proud to welcome such high-quality businesses into our brand new indoor market and am particularly pleased to hear that they are all existing Rochdale businesses, which are expanding and in many cases, creating new jobs. The new market will perfectly complement our new shopping and leisure development, Rochdale Riverside, and I’m confident it will go down very well with our residents and visitors.”
Owners Debra McGinty and Anna Barber will be sourcing their ingredients from other stalls within the market to celebrate the borough’s cooperative tradition. Debra, from Heywood, said:
ROCHDALE FIREFIGHTER RUNS IN MEMORY OF MANCHESTER ATTACK VICTIMS A firefighter from Rochdale has taken on a gruelling charity challenge - running 22 10K races in memory of the 22 victims of last year’s tragic Manchester Arena attack. Aaron Parmar was a police officer at the arena on the night of the attack and witnessed the physical and emotional devastation caused. Since moving to the fire service, he’s decided to show his support for the victims by running 220 kilometres (137 miles), which began with the Williams BMW Rochdale 10K in his hometown. Aaron commented: “Coming from Rochdale, I wanted the first 10K to be in my hometown. I am raising money for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund which is managed by the British Red Cross who did a fantastic job in supporting the victims and their families during that harrowing time and who continue to support them today”. Aaron has raised over £3000 so far. You can sponsor him via his Just Giving Page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/aaronleegmfrs
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