Council to introduce employee discount for town centre shops

Rochdale Borough Council is currently undergoing negotiations with local business owners in a bid to introduce employee discounts in town centre shops.

The idea is being led by Rochdale's Town Centre Management Committee, the Council and Paul Rowen MP and it is hoped that the scheme will result in a significant increase in local trade - especially during weekdays.

Rochdale Council currently employs around 10,000 people across the Borough and the scheme would include local shops not only in Rochdale town centre but also in Heywood, Middleton and the Pennines.

Rochdale's Finance Boss and town centre shop owner Councillor Greg Couzens said: "We realise it's important that we as a council work together with local businesses to find ways to support the local economy. The idea of this scheme is to encourage the thousands of people we employ to spend their money in our town centres and not elsewhere. We've already seen what a great success the Free After Three scheme has been with local shops reporting a 3% increase in footfall and hopefully discounts for workers will also have the same effect."

Rochdale's MP Paul Rowen, who has been involved in the negotiations to introduce the new scheme, said: "This idea will not only benefit local shops but also council employees. It is vital for the success of the local economy to keep as much money in our town as possible rather than spending it elsewhere. I know that the Council and I have been working hard alongside the Town Centre Management Committee to get this scheme off the ground. The more shops that sign up the more successful we will be.

Mr Rowen added: "There are exciting plans currently in place for the long term regeneration of our town but it's important that we support the town centre in the short term. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Observer for launching the 'Shop Local' campaign. I know how important your support is for our local traders."