Former bank in Rochdale’s conservation area to become indoor market

A project to turn the former Santander building in Rochdale into an indoor market is now underway.

Building firm H Bell and Sons Ltd is on site transforming the three-storey property into a new shopping and dining centre featuring a café and fresh food stalls.

The renovation will include the creation of an atrium, opening the building up and allowing visitors to the first-floor café to see the stalls below.

Rochdale-based H Bell and Sons is also installing lifts and replacing the building’s roof.

Chris Bell, managing director at H Bell and Sons, said: “We’ve been here in Rochdale for over 100 years, so we’re a part of the borough’s history.

“We’re proud that with this prestigious project, we can now help Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency shape its future.

He added: “It’s our company policy to buy over 85% of our materials within a 10 miles radius of Rochdale, so the wider local economy will also benefit from this project in the immediate term.”

The project is expected to take around five months.

Rochdale Borough Council Leader Cllr Richard Farnell commented: “We are now looking at improved proposals for our indoor offer to make best use of the old Santander building as part of our fantastic new market.

“Rochdale has held a market charter since the 1200s, and it will be great to see our historic market tradition returning in style in one of the town centre’s many heritage buildings, in the heart of the conservation area.”

He continued: “This will be an important addition to our new town centre and I’m looking forward to seeing it develop in the coming months.”

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