The Rochdale in Bloom judging tour through Rochdale town centre showcased the borough’s continued investment in creating attractive, welcoming, and sustainable public spaces. The visit began with a warm welcome at the rooftop garden at Number One Riverside, where the judges were introduced to representatives from Rochdale in Bloom, Rochdale Borough Council, and key partners before hearing about the collaborative work that underpins the borough’s success.
From there, the judges explored a carefully planned route through the town centre, highlighting the transformation of Rochdale through regeneration, horticulture, and community partnership. Stops included the Transport Interchange, Rochdale BID and Rochdale Riverside, Baillie Street, and Bull Brow, where the reopening of the River Roch, biodiversity initiatives, Peregrine Falcon conservation, and local environmental monitoring were showcased.
The tour continued past the Gracie Fields statue, celebrating Rochdale’s Town of Culture programme, before visiting Broadfield Slopes. Here, the judges learned about the area’s archaeological significance, ecological value, and its role as an important green space for residents and visitors, including the popular family cinema events held throughout the year.
A visit to the beautifully maintained Memorial Gardens highlighted the exceptional standards achieved by the Environmental Management team, who also demonstrated the innovative electric equipment and sustainable working practices used to maintain the borough’s award-winning floral displays.
The judges then visited the Rochdale in Bloom Community Garden, where future plans for investment in the Esplanade and the outdoor spaces surrounding Touchstones Rochdale were discussed, demonstrating the borough’s ongoing commitment to enhancing public spaces for future generations.
The tour concluded with a group photograph on the balcony of the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall, followed by refreshments and an opportunity for the judges to reflect on everything they had experienced throughout the visit. The afternoon provided a fitting finale to a tour that celebrated Rochdale’s rich heritage, environmental innovation, community partnerships, and the passion of the volunteers, businesses, and council teams who work together to ensure the borough continues to bloom.
