Architect TP Bennett has put forward plans for a £60 million retail and leisure scheme to be built in Rochdale for developer Genr8.

The 25 unit Rochdale Riverside district will have a gross internal floor area of more than 60,000m2. Genr8 is developing the scheme with Kajima in conjunction with Rochdale Borough Council.

High street retailers M&S and Next have signed up to the project, with Reel Cinema putting forward plans for a six screen cinema.

Richard Farnell, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, commented: “This is a hugely important milestone for the regeneration of our town centre. The new stores and high street names will attract new shoppers back to town and give a massive boost to all retailers. It’s a unique mix of retail and leisure which will create 1,000 new jobs and boost the local economy by £17m.

“This is a red letter day for Rochdale and yet more evidence in the turnaround of the fortunes of our town centre.

“Rochdale Riverside is an important part of our £250m regeneration programme, which has transformed Rochdale beyond all recognition since 2010.”

It is expected that the application will be considered early next year. Demolition works have already begun and construction works are set to get underway by late summer next year.

Earlier this year, TP Bennett strengthened its commitment to Manchester after taking a lease on 3,000 sq ft of office space in Manchester following significant growth.

The practice, which also specialises in interiors and planning, has taken warehouse office space in the Royal Mills development, Ancoats Urban Village.

TP Bennett, which has grown across its Manchester and London offices by 34 per cent in the last 12 months, has designed its new interior to maintain a flexibility to accommodate future growth.

With an open plan layout and a variety of collaborative working areas, the style echoes its London headquarters.