TOWN IMPROVEMENTS AWAITED

Heywood Town Centre has long been in need of sprucing up, and the recent government funding goes some way towards that, with works around the Civic Centre nearly complete. 

However, a wider and more long-term strategy is required to attract and retain new businesses across Heywood. Local Liberal Democrats are calling on the Mayor of Greater Manchester and Rochdale Council to work together on a long-term and high-profile plan for Heywood, along the same lines as the Development Corporation that has been announced for Middleton. 

Local campaigner Tom Shaw explained "Heywood residents have often felt, with some justification, that our town feels 'left behind', compared to huge investments in major nearby towns like Rochdale and Bury. Landmark commercial and public buildings have been left to decay for too long, and it is high time we got a fair slice of the pie. 

“Any plan needs to include details of how investment will reach local centres like Darnhill, so the whole town can benefit, not just Atom Valley and segments of the Town Centre as occasional funding allows. 

“A Heywood-wide approach will ensure a wide range of new jobs, work experience and outside investment for our community."