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The shape of things to come

31/ 7/2008

THESE are the final three designs on the shortlist to transform Middleton Gardens.

As part of the redevelopment of the town centre, one of these £100,000 designs will be chosen to link Middleton Gardens to the new Tesco store.

All of the finalists draw on the town's rich history, with two tightly focused on the Middleton Archer's theme, with the other offering a more general tribute to the town's past.

Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) which is leading the project is set to unveil the designs to the public today (Thursday) as it begins a three-day public consultation exercise.

But the Middleton Guardian has teamed up with RDA to offer you a sneak-preview of the designs before they go on show.

The first design by Manchester-based Tim Rushton pays tribute to Middleton's illustrious past.

It's characterised by four poles displaying two laser-cut metal panels, with each one focusing on a particular theme such as Samuel Bamford and Edgar Wood.

On the ground, 30 decorative cast iron floor panels will be interspersed among york flag stones, each paying tribute to another of the town's hero's and their work.

If selected, the architect says he will work with the local community to identify possible individuals or themes to go into the design.

The installation will also benefit from four trees, curved seating and an information sign.

The second design is the first of two focused on the Middleton Archer theme.

It's dominated by a dramatic red sandstone arch with an arrow carved into the middle for pedestrians to walk through to the new Tesco store or towards Middleton Gardens.

Engraved on the town centre side of the arch will be various archers, while on the Tesco side, the architect has suggested paying tribute to the town's cotton mill past.

The design will also have carved arrow-shaped benches to continue the archer-theme.

The final design on the shortlist also draws on the Middleton Archers, and is described as the most controversial of the three.

Seats in this proposal by TPM Landscape are said to mimic the process of a long bow being drawn and fired.

But the most striking element of the design is a hail of arrows spanning length of the design, with the archer theme repeated on the floor as metal arrows are inserted in the paving.

All three designs will be showcased at Middleton Shopping Centre for three days, starting today (Thursday), between 10am and 4pm, where residents will be able to give their feedback on the designs.

If you can't attend the consultation days, the designs will be displayed in the Middleton Civic Centre from next week, and you can leave your feedback at www.investinrochdale.co.uk

Click on 'View gallery' to see all three designs