Rochdale is getting its very first Nando’s this year

Some good news if you’re from Rochdale and love Nando’s – the restaurant chain is opening a new branch in the town.

The new site will be part of the £80m Rochdale Riverside scheme, with the South African chicken restaurant opening alongside two more retail and leisure brands.

Nando’s has taken a 3,500 sq ft unit on a 15 year-lease, while luxury dessert chain Heavenly Desserts is opening on a 2,000 sq ft space on a 10-year lease.

Superdrug will be joining them, with a 4,500 sq ft unit, with the scheme bringing 24 new retail and leisure units to the heart of Rochdale town centre, alongside a six screen cinema.

Rochdale Borough Council

M&S, H&M, Next, Boots, Reel Cinemas and Hollywood Bowl’s new mini golf concept, Puttstars, are all currently being fitted out on site, while JD Sports and River Island will also take units.

Rochdale Riverside is being delivered in a joint venture between Genr8 and Kajima in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council, and boasts approximately 200,000 sq ft (60,970 sq m) of retail and leisure accommodation in the heart of the town.

Lauren Gavaghan, Development Manager at Genr8 Developments, said: “We are delighted to have agreed a deal to bring three popular brands to the Rochdale Riverside scheme. These occupiers will complement the current tenant mix in the scheme and will help drive forward the leisure element.

“The scheme is now 80% let and with works continuing to progress at pace, we are now looking forward to completion and the launch.”

Rochdale Borough Council

Councillor Allen Brett, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Rochdale town centre has undergone a major transformation in recent years, and Rochdale Riverside is a key part of it.

“These new additions will complement the ever expanding offer in Rochdale town centre, which includes fantastic new independent restaurants, Bombay Brew and the Mannerist, and will soon welcome a Hogarth’s pub as part of a £1m restoration of one of our major historic buildings.”

Work on site is set to be completed in April 2020, with a launch festival scheduled for the Easter weekend.