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Tesco gets green light for new town centre

30/ 1/2002

THE long-awaited multi-million pound regeneration of Middleton town centre has been given the green light.

Members of Rochdale Council's Cabinet have taken the decision to work together with Tesco Stores to provide new shopping, leisure and civic facilities for Middleton.

The proposal involves replacing the old Middleton Swimming Pool, Leisure and Civic centres, with a modern purpose built facility on the Corporation Street side of Assheton Way. The old buildings will then be demolished, along with Middleton Market, to make way for a new superstore in the heart of the town centre.

In order to ensure continuity of leisure facilities for Middleton people and to minimise risks to the council, Tesco will be responsible for procurement and construction of all the new buildings and works.

Council leader and Middleton councillor Peter Roberts said it was a key stage in the process to secure agreement between the two sides to ensure the important regeneration of the town centre.

Assistant environment director Dave Davison said they were now working on tightening up the agreement with a summer target for the signing of the finalised pact. After that planning applications would be submitted for the new combined civic facility and the superstore.

He said: "This is very important for the future of the town providing investment and new jobs, upwards of 200 at the Tesco facility alone."