Rochdale will be one of the first towns to benefit from government Towns Fund with £23.6m Date published: 05 March 2021 Artist's impression of the redevelopment of the former Central Retail Park site off Drake Street in Rochdale Rochdale has been named as one of the first towns to benefit from the government’s Towns Fund. Rochdale will receive £23.6million to “support its emerging digital, manufacturing and creative sectors – while helping the town centre to become a vibrant and attractive destination for residents.” A bid for £25million was made in December 2020, asking for money for projects including a new advanced machinery and productivity institute at Kingsway Business Park, developing the proposal for hundreds of new homes on the site of Central Retail Park, supporting delivery and improvements to hundreds of homes (led by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing), developing brownfield sites for housing; and improving crossing points and additional walking or cycling options for St Mary’s Gate.