Heritage Action Zone

Drake Street is a historic thoroughfare from Rochdale station to the Town Hall, and was once the thriving commercial, cultural, social and civic heart of the town. Despite significant economic decline in recent decades, the area retains impressive examples of Georgian, Victorian and early 20th century architecture. It also has strong connections to the cooperative movement.

The scheme has secured £2 million of funding from the Partnerships Scheme in Conservation Areas (PSiCA) grant programme. This and other grants will be used for the repair, restoration and reuse of historic buildings including:-

• Converting historic buildings into high quality residential developments in Rochdale town centre – including schemes at 2 Smith Street and 19-21 Church Lane.
• Supporting the South Parade Property Improvement Scheme, which will restore buildings on historic South Parade and make public realm improvements.
• Contributing to the master planning of Neighbourhoods Rochdale, the development of more than 200 new homes at the junction of Drake Street and Milnrow Road, the site of the historic town centre canal basin.
• Repurposing the historic Butterworth Jewellers building into a hub for cooperative-based learning, enterprise and development.

What else is going on?

The HAZ is also an opportunity to involve the local community in exploring and celebrating our fascinating local heritage. Projects so far include:

• Rochdale Reimagined. A partnership with Manchester School of Architecture, with students developing concepts based on HAZ briefs, resulting in an exhibition at Number One Riverside and the creation of a book and learning resources for Rochdale schools.
• Rochdale Uprising Mural Festival. A week-long celebration of Rochdale and cooperation through street art, culminating in the creation of twelve large murals.