Welcome back to Rochdale Town Centre

Rochdale Town Centre is looking better than ever as it welcomes back locals and visitors from further afield. With its stunning arcitecture, amazing street art, wide variety of shopping outlets, independent stores and burgeoning food and drink scene, Rochdale is well and truly back in business.

Expect a few changes if you've not ventured out for a while - new businesses continue to open and the Baillie Street Quarter has been given a unique brand by Rochdale BID as the area grows into its function as the key link between Yorkshire Street and Rochdale Riverside. Bull Brow is also undergoing a makeover by Rochdale Borough Council and the floral displays are in bloom!

The BID Rangers are on hand to deep clean pavements, doorways and street furniture to keep the town looking its best, as well as being a visible point of contact for visitors.

Paul Ambrose, Business Improvement District Manager, encouraged people to venture into the town centre: "Throughout the pandemic we have seen the town centre community come together to support one another and our amazing town centre businesses have demonstrated their importance. If we want to continue to enjoy the unique products and services that local businesses provide now is the time to support them. Shopping, eating and drinking local will play a key role in the economic recovery in the months ahead."

Fabulous independent stores have re-opened their doors such as Buckley Menswear, Number Ten Gift Shop, ToysARoo, End Boutique, Chantilly and Okeechobee as well as large retail chains including River Island, New Look, M&S and H&M.

The town centre's outdoor hospitality has proved incredibly popular over the past month with its beautiful outdoor spaces and beer gardens being transformed and extended.

Packer Street has been transformed into a pedestrianised continental-style outdoor dining area, named Gracie’s Garden, serving customers of The Flying Horse Hotel, The Empire, Yate’s and KoKo’s.

Just across the road, The Medicine Tap has launched its mouthwatering 'Dining on The Esplanade' menu with marquees providing cover from the unpredictable weather.

The outdoor terrace at Bean Cafe at Rochdale Riverside is also a firm favourite with visitors, providing a stylish, relaxing environment in which to enjoy lunch, fresh coffee and cake.

The Baum in Rochdale’s historic Toad Lane always turns heads with it’s enviable beer selection but now boasts a modern British menu and newly transformed walled beer garden, beautifully lit with festoon lights.

The town centre's food and drink offer has gone from strength to strength recently and you'll now find an array of restaurants, coffee shops, pubs and bars to suit every occasion, taste and budget.

Indoor hospitality is set to open imminently (and should have if you're reading this after 17th May), including the ever-popular Petit Bistro in the Baillie Street Quarter and Treehouse bar, above Petit Cafe and Okeechobee.

Also in the Baillie Street Quarter is hidden gem, Vicolo Del Vino, a beautiful rustic wine bar combining real traditional Italian food with an array of specialist wine, beer and gin from around the world. There's also outdoor seating on a quaint cobbled street and live music four nights a week.

Situated above Vicolo Del Vino, quirky micro pub The Pint Pot offers rotating cask ales, a fantastic range of bottled beers, wines and a light lunch and nibbles menu.

Just around the corner is La Mancha, offering authentic Spanish Tapas in a relaxed atmosphere.

Located on South Parade in the former Union Bank of Manchester, is the impressive Mannerist bar and restaurant, offering an exciting cocktail menu and a fusion of Italian and American cuisine where diners can enjoy everything from pizza to chilli beef tacos to mouth-watering steaks.

The former RBS building is now Hogarths; a grand bar with wide drinks menu including everything from cocktails, rums and gins to cask ales, draught lager and wines, showing all live major sporting event.

The delectable Heavenly Desserts, based at RochdaleRiverside, provides the very finest in sweet treats and a newaddition to The Butts is Jamaican restaurant, Caribbean Vybz.

The most recent newcomer is Austrailia's leading gourmet pizza brand Crust, set to open at Rochdale Riverside with an all-year-round heated outdoor terrace.

The Cask and Feather, on Oldham Road at the top of Drake Street, boasts a comprehensive and varied selection of cask and keg ales which can be enjoyed in the cosy interior or the charming beer garden.

Other fantastic venues for lunch with friends, coffee and cake or an informal meeting include Pudding Paradise, Cafe Grand Abaco, Russells Cafe, M&S Cafe, Costa (within Next).

Many of the retailers and venues featured are part of the innovative LoyalFree app which has now launched in Rochdale Town Centre to help you save money when you dine, drink or shop with exclusive deals and loyalty schemes.

You can download the LoyalFree app for free at www.loyalfree. co.uk/download or search ‘LoyalFree’ on the iOS and Google Play stores. Have some socially distanced fun and check out the Mural Trail on the app - a walking tour of all the amazing street art in the area.

The popular Food & Artisan Fayre has also restarted at Rochdale Riverside on the first Saturday of every month. Keep up to date by visiting www.rochdaletowncentre.co.uk or following Rochdale Town Centre on social media.