About Rochdale
Rochdale is a borough of ambition, enterprise and opportunity at the heart of Greater Manchester. As one of the ten local authorities that make up Greater Manchester, the borough of Rochdale is playing a central role in shaping the city region’s future prosperity. Our vision is to build a thriving, inclusive economy that creates opportunity for all.
Strategically located on the M62 corridor between Manchester and Leeds, Rochdale is exceptionally well connected. Junctions 18–21 of the motorway pass directly through the borough, linking our towns to the wider North of England, and we are only 12 minutes by train from Manchester city centre. Ongoing improvements to rail and tram links, including planned Metrolink extensions, will further enhance connectivity. Its excellent location, combined with extensive developable land and strong community networks, makes Rochdale one of the most attractive places to invest in the North.
The borough is proud of its rich heritage as the birthplace of the Co-operative Movement, founded by the Rochdale Pioneers, a legacy of radical thinking and collective spirit. That same spark burns brightly today, driving bold ideas, restless innovation and shared ambition as we shape a fairer, greener and more prosperous future for everyone who calls Rochdale home.
Rochdale is Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture in 2025, celebrating our historic Town Hall, thriving arts scene, and outstanding natural environment, including award-winning parks and access to the Pennine countryside. Each of our towns – Rochdale, Middleton, Heywood and the Pennine district, has their own distinctive identity, but together they make up a borough united in its determination to provide opportunity for every resident.
We have bold and achievable plans. Our Rochdale Growth Plan 2020-2030 sets out how Rochdale will deliver 17 million square feet of new employment space, 20,000 new jobs, and 10,000 new homes. Our Rochdale Rail Corridor Regeneration Strategy alone will deliver 7,000 homes along well-connected brownfield sites, supported by station upgrades and new transport links. Major residential and commercial schemes are already under construction, building confidence and momentum for long-term transformation.
At the heart of this growth agenda is Atom Valley, a Mayoral Development Zone of national significance. Stretching across Bury, Oldham and Rochdale, Atom Valley is one of the UK’s most important growth opportunities, bringing together three prime sites to deliver world-class advanced manufacturing, research and innovation. For Rochdale, Atom Valley means thousands of skilled jobs, new housing, and the chance to build a future-facing economy anchored in clean growth and innovation. Complementing this is the Northern Gateway Mayoral Development Corporation, the largest employment site in the North of England, where a new advanced materials and innovation park is planned in partnership with universities and industry.
Flagship projects are already changing the landscape. The award-winning Rochdale Riverside retail and leisure development has transformed the town centre, while Kingsway Business Park, one of the largest business parks in the North West, continues to attract global employers. The new Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre (SMMC) is under construction at Kingsway and will provide cutting-edge laboratory, research and business space to support Greater Manchester’s ambitions to be a global leader in advanced materials.
Importantly, Rochdale’s regeneration agenda is about more than buildings and business parks; it is about creating opportunity for residents and ensuring that growth is inclusive. That means investing in skills and training, supporting SMEs and entrepreneurs, and working with schools, colleges and initiatives such as the Atom Valley Education Challenge Consortium (AVECC) to raise aspirations and connect people to real opportunities. It also means delivering high-quality housing of all types and tenures, revitalising town centres, and building sustainable transport links that ensure every community can share in the benefits of growth.
Rochdale offers an exceptional quality of life. Residents enjoy the best of both worlds: excellent access to Manchester’s international connectivity and cultural vibrancy, and a borough with thriving communities, affordable housing, and easy access to green space. The borough is proud of its diverse and resilient communities and is committed to ensuring that the benefits of growth are shared across all its towns and neighbourhoods.
With over £250 million already secured, a wave of bold projects in motion and Atom Valley on the horizon, Rochdale is seizing its moment. This is a borough that carries the radical spirit of the Rochdale Pioneers, unafraid to break new ground and determined to shape a future that is fairer, greener and more prosperous for all.