Published 29th June 2026
MD Laura Rodwell to Chair Regeneration Project Board
A £20 million initiative to boost regeneration across Smallbridge, Hurstead and Belfield has taken a step forward with a board and chair now in place to oversee the project.
The government’s Pride in Place project seeks to bring about major improvements to particular areas by committing £20 million of investment to be spent on projects over a 10-year period. The work is overseen by a board made up of local residents, businesses and political leaders.
Smallbridge, Hurstead and Belfield’s board is now in place and our very own Laura Rodwell has been appointed as chair!
Laura has lived in Littleborough all her life and also brings in experience from previous roles at Oldham Coliseum, and The Piece Hall in Halifax.
Laura said:
“M6 Theatre is based in the heart of this area and we already work with a number of local children and schools. For many local children, our performances are the first, and possibly only, time they’ve seen live theatre and we’ve seen first-hand the power of the arts to improve people’s lives.
“Our goal at M6 is to make a difference and give people access to transformative opportunities, and that’s exactly what the Pride in Place project is going to do, but on a much bigger scale and in a way which will transcend the arts and involve people and groups who may not have benefitted from this type of programme in the past. The fact that it will be a community led project, where residents will work with us and tell us what they want, is also very exciting.”
The board also includes Rochdale MP, Paul Waugh, and Rochdale Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and housing, Councillor Danny Meredith, as well as a number of local residents. Its job is to help guide and manage the project and engage with the community.
Danny Meredith, cabinet member for regeneration and housing at Rochdale Borough Council, said:
“I’m delighted that Laura has been selected as board chair. As somebody who has worked with this community for many years, she is aware of its challenges and is passionate about making things better. Her experience in working on community led ventures, like this, is also second to none. I look forward to working with Laura, the community and the rest of the board as we push this fantastic project forward.”
Paul Waugh, Rochdale MP, said:
“I’m pleased to be part of the board, and Laura is exactly the right person to chair it. She knows this area inside out and has spent her career proving what’s possible when you trust people to shape their own future. As a schoolboy in Rochdale, I was one of the many who benefited from M6’s ability to widen our horizons thanks to a high-quality arts organisation on our doorstep.
“I’d encourage everyone across Smallbridge, Hurstead and Belfield to get involved and have their say, because this is your project and your chance to help build the area you want to see.”
The Pride in Place board is currently working with the community to formulate ideas and a full plan on how the £20 million could be spent will be submitted to government for consideration in November.
The delivery of the programme will then get under way in spring next year.
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