Regeneration investment fuels jobs and economy boost
in Oldham and Rochdale
26th October 2006
Oldham and Rochdale are set for an economic resurgence with millions of pounds of regeneration investment expected to create at least 3,000 jobs in the next five years.
The area’s Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder will result in around £2 billion of public and private finance being invested in the boroughs by 2019 with thousands of modern homes being built.
This is already giving a major boost to the local economy with local people being trained so that they can take advantage of new jobs in construction. At the same time, a bid has been submitted to get 5,000 people off benefits and into employment.
Other new industries are soon to be flourishing with the first plots being prepared for occupiers at the £350 million Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale.
Expected to create more than 7,000 new jobs during its ten year development, Kingsway is one of the largest ventures of its kind in the UK, which will occupy 420 acres on the edge of the Rochdale-Oldham border, next to the M62 and with well placed links to Manchester and Leeds.
The confirmed £520 million Oldham-Rochdale Metrolink route is being planned to stop on the business park.
Both borough councils are working closely with a range of partners including the Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder, Rochdale Development Agency, North West Development Agency, and private developers to ensure they can maximise on plans.
The HMR Pathfinder – one of only nine in the country – has already invested more than £57 million with a further £67.5 million earmarked up to 2008. New housing developments under construction are pushing design standards with many harnessing sun and wind energy to reduce fuel bills.
Local businesses are reaping the benefits. Builders’ merchants Harwood Jackson recently opened a new branch in Oldham to keep up with demand from developers involved in HMR initiatives. The Rochdale based firm has invested £100,000 on developing a new site in Chadderton.
Owner Mick Harwood attributes the move to the level of regeneration work taking place. He said: “Thousands of new houses are in the pipeline and we have witnessed a massive increase in demand for materials in recent months. We already had a well established base in Rochdale, but felt we could capitalise on the HMR investment by expanding to Oldham. We plan to take on 12 new members of staff this year.”
The Pathfinder has also established J21, a local labour in construction initiative that aims to broker training, employment and supply chain opportunities for local people and businesses. Around £600,000 has been spent so far setting up J21 and funding local people through construction courses. Some trainees have already gone on to get jobs in the industry.
Khalid Mahmood, 29, of Belfield in Rochdale has given up a future of factory work for a career with better earning potential as a plasterer.
The father-of-two moved to Rochdale from Kashmir five years ago, but the economics graduate could only get work in factories.
He is being funded through his NVQ Level 2 in plastering and has landed an adult apprenticeship placement with the Arm’s Length Management Organisation, First Choice Homes, in Oldham, where he hopes to secure a permanent contract after gaining his qualification.
He said: “The support I have been given has been brilliant; I have found some real mentors.
“There are lots of new homes being planned in my area. It can only mean more opportunities for work. It has been a life-line.”
Another apprentice, Dean Francis, 20, from Milnrow, admits he was not the best academically and desperately wanted to get on the construction ladder after leaving school at 16 with no qualifications.
He has completed an NVQ Level 1 course and has since been taken on as a labourer by Rochdale-based construction company Jackson, Jackson and Sons. He continues to be funded through a Level 2 Apprenticeship, costing £4,000, which he will do on a block release programme from his paid job.
Dean said: “I always wanted to work as a builder because it’s a good career for life. I’m starting at the bottom, but this new course will mean I learn a lot and I’m being paid for working at the same time.”
John McGuire, Chair of the Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder, says that the figures demonstrate that Oldham and Rochdale are set for a metamorphosis. He added: “Let’s not forget there is a deep-rooted need for investment here. That’s why we require our private sector partners to maximise the use of local labour. We are looking to up-skill local people so that they can take advantage of new jobs as well as offering a better choice of modern housing. It’s about creating a better quality of life all-round.”
Ambitious plans to revitalise both town centres, attracting new retail, office, housing and transport links have been launched.
And both Councils are working together on a £56 million bid to make the area a hub of enterprise and business growth.
The joint bid known as RO:SE (Rochdale and Oldham: Supporting Enterprise), will be decided by Government in December. The Councils believe that over a ten-year period around 5,000 people can be taken off benefits.
Councillor Dave Hibbert, HMR Board Member and Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Regeneration, said: “A decade ago it would have been unheard of that two neighbouring councils would work in partnership together so effectively, but times have changed. We realise that we can complement each other and learn a lot from each other.”
Councillor Mohammed Sharif, HMR Board Member and Cabinet Member for Regeneration at Rochdale Council, added: “This is a time for action, and we are working together to secure a better future.”
Photos: Khalid Mahmood (above) and Dean Francis developing their construction skills
