Following detailed public consultation, Rochdale Council’s Town Centre Committee unanimously agreed to appoint Wilson Bowden.

The plans include a new central area with an iconic sculpture a new arts centre, the formation of a new retail circuit, 350,000 sq ft of new retail floor space a major food store and a multi-storey car park.

The scheme is part of a wider masterplan for the area that will involve building a new transport interchange and the creation of new state-of-the-art civic offices, other employment uses and public facilities.

It is likely that further consultation will occur early next year with construction scheduled to begin in 2010.

Partnering the council is English Partnerships and Rochdale Development Agency.

Nick Richardson, managing Director of Wilson Bowden Developments, commented: "We are delighted to be selected as partners to Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale Development Agency and English Partnerships to help deliver the regeneration of the town centre. We have a major opportunity to achieve a transformational change for the town, a change that will vastly enhance the retail and leisure offer within the town.

We are looking forward to working in the partnership in continuing to deliver Rochdale's vision as a thriving place for people to work, live and visit".

Three developers had been short listed from an initial list of ten, with public consultation carried out during 2006 and 2007.