Council Backs Observer Shop Local Campaign

Rochdale Borough Council has given its full support to the Rochdale Observer's Shop Local Campaign after a Notice of Motion was brought to Full Council by the Liberal Democrats.

The motion congratulated the Observer on its campaign which was launched recently to encourage local shoppers to stay put in Rochdale Town Centre. It also went on to stress that Council recognises the great opportunity this campaign presents in showcasing the many diverse independent retailers that Rochdale has.

Littleborough Councillor Peter Evans, who proposed the Notice of Motion, said: "I felt that it was vital that this Council recognises the importance of this campaign which runs perfectly in conjunction with our own Shop Local Buy Local Campaign. As a Council, we have been doing all that we can to help local businesses through this difficult economic time. Schemes such as the Free After Three Parking and the Feel Good Festival do help but it's important that we support independent campaigns such as the Observers. I really do congratulate them on their support for our town."

Heywood North Councillor Peter Rush, who seconded the motion, said: "I am delighted to fully back this Notice of Motion. In Heywood we have some smashing local shops and a superb local market that is the envy of the Borough. The reason I wanted to second this motion was because it also highlights the importance of shopping local across the whole Borough. I would like to call on the Observer's sister paper, the Heywood Advertiser, to follow suit and launch it's own version for Heywood."