Just one party is expected to make it through to the second round of bids for the £200m regeneration of Rochdale, allowing it to escape a £100,000 payout to its losing rivals.
Manchester-based Genr8 Developments is in pole position to be selected as Rochdale council’s partner on the 350,000 sq ft Greater Manchester project.
The town centre scheme was put out for tender in April under a new system proposed by the council, whereby the winning developer would pay two other shortlisted parties a £50,000 contribution to their tendering costs (20 June, p26).
Although eight developers are understood to have registered their interest in the scheme, only Genr8 – which is led by former Amec Developments chairman John Early – is expected to be shortlisted. A formal announcement will be made in November.
Rochdale council chief executive Roger Ellis said: “Following a review of the expressions of interest received, the cabinet will consider progressing discussions with Genr8 Developments about the retail plans for the town centre.”
The local authority had previously selected Wilson Bowden Developments to be its partner on the scheme, but was forced to cancel the joint venture in December 2008 when a rival developer claimed that the council had failed to comply with EU rules.
Work on the 15-year project is scheduled to begin in 2012.
