The designs for the new benches in Rochdale Town Square are coming to life

Gillespies is working with local firms to implement our design of the new town square, which is being revamped to complement the lottery-supported restoration of the Grade I listed Rochdale Town Hall.

Cheshire-based designers Broadbent Studio and specialist ceramicists Darwen Terracotta are creating exciting new designs for the tree surround benches in the new square. As textiles woven in Rochdale were traded across the world, the designs for the glazed terracotta seats are based on bolts of fabric.

The nine seats which make up each circular bench bear textile patterns, each from a particular continent. Some are drawn from designs originally painted or printed onto fabric. Others are from designs created in the weave, or through tie-dye, applique or embroidery. They represent textiles that have come to be identified with particular parts of the world. The five benches use patterns from a wide spread of cultures, composed into three groups, to build up a mosaic of patterns which represent the cultural mosaic of each continent.

The seats are now well under way. The patterns representing the Americas have been carved into the clay and are being dried before they are glazed. The first glazed sections, representing Asia and Africa, have been successfully fired, and work on the Oceania and Europe sections will begin shortly.

Earlier this winter, the concrete curved beams were installed for the three groups of seats, carefully located to facilitate use of the wider space and benefit residents and nearby businesses.

Rochdale Town Hall and Town Hall Square are being developed with the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Rochdale Borough Council. The project is being delivered by Rochdale Development Agency on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council. The town hall and square are expected to be reopened to the public later this year.

Lawned areas featuring plants and trees will be created directly in front of the town hall to boost biodiversity. The area, once a car park, is being transformed into a public plaza, which will provide locals and visitors with a high-quality outdoor space to enjoy all year round. On the Packer Street side of the town hall, traditional paving, trees and benches are creating a local area where visitors and residents can relax and enjoy the town centre.

Warren Chapman, associate partner at Gillespies, said: “We are delighted to see the progress on bringing new life into the heart of Rochdale town centre. The completed project will transform a sea of car parking into a people-friendly civic space for generations of Rochdale residents to enjoy and cherish.”