Businesses Back Stakehill BID Renewal with 86% Vote, Unlocking £1.7m Investment

Businesses across Stakehill Industrial Estate have voted overwhelmingly to secure a second term for their Business Improvement District (BID), unlocking a total investment of £1.7 million to drive regional growth. The successful ballot saw an 86% ‘YES’ vote from local businesses. The new five-year term, which officially launched on 1st July, will see the private sector-led BID Board deliver an additional £900,000 of projects. This investment will directly support Stakehill’s development as a premier employment hub and a critical component of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s ambitious Atom Valley growth initiative.

Stakehill at the Heart of Atom Valley Corridor

As part of the UK’s premier advanced manufacturing and innovation corridor, Atom Valley is set to create 20,000 jobs and deliver 17 million sq ft of employment space across the region. This successful BID renewal firmly positions Stakehill at the heart of this once-in-a-generation economic opportunity.

Over the next five years, the BID will focus on critical business priorities, including: enhanced CCTV and estate security, environmental improvements, road and infrastructure maintenance, sustainability projects, skills and workforce initiatives and stronger representation with local and regional decision-makers.

A Vote of Confidence From the Business Community

Anthony Smith, Chair of the Stakehill BID Board, said: “This renewal is a massive vote of confidence from our business community. Over our first term, we proved what can be achieved through collective investment—whether that’s tightening security, improving the estate environment, or giving our businesses a powerful voice with decision-makers. As we enter this next phase, we are committed to ensuring Stakehill remains a competitive, world-class location where businesses can thrive.”

New Managing Agent Appointed to Drive Delivery

To drive this next chapter of growth, the Stakehill BID Board has appointed environmental regeneration Trust, Groundwork, as its new managing agent. Groundwork brings decades of experience to the role, currently managing 12 successful BIDs across the UK, including Winsford Industrial BID—the UK’s very first industrial BID which is currently in its fifth term.

Greville Kelly, Director for Business at Groundwork said:

We look forward to working closely with businesses and partners across Rochdale to ensure that Stakehill BID’s second term delivers measurable value and positive outcomes for everyone based here.

He added: “Our focus will remain on delivering tangible benefits for businesses while strengthening Stakehill’s role as a premier employment location and a key investment opportunity at the heart of Atom Valley, one of the UK’s most significant growth and innovation zones.”