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Sorry? Not us, say these businessmen

30/ 7/2004

WHILE Rochdale reels in shock over the collapse of the Metrolink bid, some traders are breathing a sigh of relief.

Store owners in Maclure Road said they were pleased to see the scheme stopped in its tracks, as it could have taken away their business.

One even said the proposed £520M bid was a waste of money for Rochdale, taking most of the town's trade elsewhere.

Director Dave Harry, of MSA PC and Business Centre, said: "The trams would take shoppers out of Rochdale and into Manchester and Oldham."

"And we would have had to change our front entrance and have a tram line outside our door, which would not attract customers to our store."

Haji's Cash and Carry owner Mohammed Did was also relieved as he would have lost his customer car park to Metrolink.

"This means we can expand our building without having to worry about the future for possibly 10 years."

But ward Councillor Mohammed Sharif claims most residents and businesses were disappointed by the blow which has forced a major re-think of regeneration plans and halted road-resurfacing works.

He said: "The Metrolink would attract new business to the area and could also improve its appearance - the roads are in desperate need of improvement."