Genr8 Developments has received planning consent for a £70m retail and leisure development in Rochdale town centre.
Rochdale Riverside will be delivered jointly by Genr8 and Kajima in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council.
Construction is due to start by the autumn, with the scheme expected to open for trade in mid-2019.
Phase one of the scheme covers more than 200,000 sq ft and comprises 24 retail and leisure units ranging from 1,000 sq ft to 20,000 sq ft, together with a six screen cinema and around 340 parking spaces. It is anchored by a 50,000 sq ft Marks & Spencer and a Next store. Reel Cinemas will operate the cinema which will sit above the retail and leisure element of the scheme. The retail units will all be around 10 metres high to allow both ground and mezzanine levels.
Outline planning approval has also been given for phase two, which will see further investment in the town centre, with new offices, hotel, flats and commercial uses.
Rochdale Borough Council leader Richard Farnell said: “Rochdale Riverside is an important part of our £250m regeneration programme, which has transformed Rochdale beyond all recognition since 2010. This latest milestone represents the next step forward for our borough as we continue to strive for further growth and new opportunities for our local people and businesses.”
DPP is the planning adviser on the scheme, which has been designed by TP Bennett Architects. Letting agents are Cheetham & Mortimer and Lambert Smith Hampton.
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