Last post for Telegraph House

Posted by on 19 Oct 2016

A key milestone in the £250 million redevelopment of Rochdale town centre began this week, as demolition works started on the Telegraph House building.

Greater-Manchester-based Contractors Connell Brothers Ltd are now completing the final stage of demolition, following internal strip out of the Baillie Street site, which started in the summer.

The removal of 1960s building, which once housed council staff, will pave the way for Rochdale town centre’s new shopping and leisure centre, Rochdale Riverside, a 200,000 square feet development featuring shops, restaurants, cafes and a cinema.

Next, M&S and Reel Cinemas are already signed up to the scheme and a detailed planning application is set to be submitted to the council before the end of October.

Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, Councillor Richard Farnell, said: “The removal of Telegraph House is a real milestone for Rochdale. By 2019, where this and other eyesore buildings once stood, we’ll have a fantastic modern development, with well-known high street shops and a cinema, alongside restaurants and cafes.”

Connell Brothers Ltd has already transformed the Rochdale skyline, having also removed the old municipal offices and bus station back in 2013.
A number of local residents have been employed by Connells to clear the site since the town centre demolition began, with 12 employees being taken on to remove Telegraph House.

The public will be given an opportunity to view the proposals for the Rochdale Riverside scheme at an exhibition to be displayed in Number One Riverside following the submission of the planning application.