Welcome to Rochdale
Rochdale takes it's
name from its position on the River
Roche and is probably best known for
its Co-op, the beginning of the Co-operative
movement, which today still includes
the well known national supermarket
chain Rochdale is also well known
for its textile industries including
cotton, silk and wool and is twinned
with Bielefeld in Germany and Tourcoing
in France. Situated at the foot of
the Pennines – also known as “the
back-bone of England”.
Its magnificent Town
Hall built in 1871 takes pride of
place in the centre of Rochdale, its
original clock tower destroyed by
fire in 1883 and rebuilt in 1887 is
also home to a majestic stained glass
window, that was supposed to be one
of Adolf Hitler's priority acquisitions
should he have won the war.
To commemorate the peace
between the two counties of Lancashire
and Yorkshire the statues of golden
lions situated at the front of the
hall are decorated with the Lancashire
and Yorkshire emblems on them
Standing proud on the
Rochdale Town Hall you will find 4
flags dedicated to the memory of those
who lost their life during the war.
The town itself
hosts a great many shops, with a daily
market indoor and outdoor, and boasts
two shopping centre's with many well
know stores. There are also many specialised
stores surrounding on Drake St, Yorkshire
St, Cheetham Street and The Walk.
In the evening the
town lights up offering many bars, restaurants
and night clubs for those who wish to
dance the night away.
 The
Borough of Rochdale’s location,
the northeast of Greater Manchester
and straddling the trans-Pennine M62,
makes it convenient for travel in
all directions.
No
point in the Borough is more than
three miles from a junction of the
M66, M62 or the new Manchester Orbital
M60, giving access to the extensive
system of motorways in the region
and to the national road network.
Toad Lane Information
No 31 Toad Lane
– originally a warehouse erected about
1790. In 1844 working men decided
to form their own Co-operative society
to provide a fair trading service
for its members also providing social
and educational amenities.
The Co-op shop in Toad
Lane became so well known that the
Pioneers felt no necessity to display
their wares in the bay windows. The
shutters on the bay windows were taken
down for the first time on 21 st December
1844 and trading commenced.
The name Toad Lane is
said to derive from the Lancashire
pronunciation of “The Old Lane” –
“T'Owd Lane – but this has been disputed.
ROCHDALE TOWN
HALL
While most medieval
towns are known for their castles
and churches, those which rose to
greatness in the Industrial Revolution
have their own halls instead. Although
Rochdale never became one of the mightiest
industrial centres, it built itself
a town hall which represents a striking
symbol of Rochdale's nineteenth century
growth, it's very own Town Hall dominates
the heart of Rochdale Centre. This
is a must for any visitor to Rochdale,
The Town Hall offers
guided tours open to the public and
attracts visitors from all over the
world.
TOUCHSTONES
‘Something Special for
Everyone'
Located
close to Rochdale Town Centre approximately
5 minuets from Town Centre, this beautiful
building incorporates Local Studies
Centre, Art Gallery, Museum, Heritage
Gallery, Education Service, Tourist
Information Centre, complete with
Shop and Café it also holds
a regular events programme to suit
all ages.
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