Guest Service Manager at the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre “Unsung Hero Award”
Carol goes above and beyond is shaping the visitors experience – she is a true “Unsung hero”
Carol Cookson, Guest Service Manager at the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre, is a deserving winner of a Rochdale BID Unsung Hero Award because she consistently goes above and beyond to deliver outstanding customer service in a busy town-centre environment.
In a centre that attracts significant footfall and plays a key role in Rochdale’s retail offer , her role is vital in shaping visitors’ experiences. Carol demonstrates dedication through her daily commitment to helping shoppers, resolving issues with care, and ensuring the centre remains welcoming, safe, and accessible—values that align closely with the Rochdale BID’s mission to create a vibrant, customer-focused town centre.
What makes her particularly deserving of an “Unsung Hero” recognition is her behind-the-scenes impact. The award celebrates individuals who quietly go the extra mile for their community , and Carol embodies this through her approachable manner, reliability, and genuine care for both customers and colleagues. Her work enhances the reputation of the shopping centre and contributes to a positive experience that encourages people to return to Rochdale.
In short, Carol Cookson is a dedicated, dependable, and customer-focused professional whose everyday efforts make a meaningful difference to the town centre—exactly the kind of contribution the Unsung Hero Award is designed to recognise
First Rochdale Beaver Scouts “Unsung Hero Award”
Heroes who helped to make the Baillie Street Quarter bloom!
We are super grateful and proud of all the hard work the First Rochdale Beaver Scouts have put into improving the Baillie Street Quarter and it was a pleasure to present to them an Unsung Hero Award!
These little heroes have been busy over the summer helping to look after the flowers within the Baillie Street Quarter and ensuring the area looks at its best.
First Rochdale Scout Group was founded in 1908 and is one of the oldest Scout Groups in the world, running continuously throughout both world wars. In the early days, their meeting place was a rented room in a cottage on the moors above Syke. Their Scouting equipment was kept in a handcart which they would push to their meetings. Nowadays, the group meets at Darlington House, on George St, close to Rochdale’s town centre.
Paul Ambrose, BID Manager said. “We can’t thank the Beaver Scouts enough as their hard work has ensured that the Baillie Street Quarter looks fantastic this summer. The enthusiasm showed by them all was brilliant to see and on behalf of the BID and the Baillie Street businesses we thank the group for all their hard work”.
In the light of the amazing work of the First Rochdale Beaver Scouts it is with pleasure that we award them with an “Unsung Hero Award”.
Rochdale’s very own Town Centre Chaplain takes our First “Unsung Hero Award”.
Margaret has been tirelessly volunteering throughout the pandemic – she is a true Unsung Hero
Rochdale’s Town Centre Enforcement Warden “Unsung Hero Award”.
Michelle truly goes above and beyond supporting everyone she meets – she is a true “Unsung hero’.
“Thank you for my beautiful surprise! I could not have been happier, even if it was a real diamond! I will miss you all so much, although in my new role, I can still call in for a coffee catch up. The award has made me feel like I made a difference, and I am so grateful thank you very much.
Michelle has been working tirelessly on supporting the public, businesses, and anyone she can in Rochdale Town Centre:
The Councils Town Centre Wardens provide a high visibility presence, and they successfully work closely with people who live, work and visit the Town Centre. They are an integral link between local authority, businesses, the BID Rangers, Police, and the PCSO’s.
There primary role is to deal with beggars, on street drinking and low level ASB issues through the Police and PCSO’s. They engage and encourage the community to shop in Rochdale through regular dialog with both known and new visitors to the Town.
They are very well known to the business community, through attending regular Shopwatch and Pubwatch meetings and through their daily duties. The Wardens are a welcomed sight for anyone visiting the Town.
During the first lockdown, their presence has made a difference, just being in the town centre has reassured visitors everything will be ok. They have spoken to lots of people in the town about their mental health issues and the personal experience regarding the knock-on effect and sheer loneliness COVID has caused. Talking does help, stability helps, a friendly face helps.
Jayne May Project Executive said, “We work with such lovely, caring people every day and working with Michelle was a pleasure. Michelle was totally committed to providing an exceptional service to the public and the businesses in Rochdale Town Centre. Selecting Michelle to receive an “Unsung Hero Award” was a very easy decision, as her drive to improving the town centre visitor experience was clear to see. An example of her support was seen first-hand when I witnessed Michelle supporting a gentleman, who unfortunately, was knocked over and trapped under his own car. Michelle comforted the gentleman talking whilst the paramedics attended to his injuries. Thank you, Michelle, we appreciate all what you have done for the town centre and we wish you well in your new role.
Street Pastors is an initiative of Ascension Trust and was pioneered in London in 2003. On that first night, 18 volunteers took to the streets of Brixton – 15 women and 3 men.
There are now 11,000 trained street pastors, and they play an active part in more than 240 UK towns and cities.
Street Pastors engage with people on the streets to care for them, listen to them and help them. They work together with other partners in the night-time economy to make communities safer.
Each city project is set up by the Ascension Trust and run by a local coordinator with support from local churches and community groups, in partnership with the police, local council and Business Improvement Districts.
Rochdale Street Pastors Team is led by Bill Hardaker who has been volunteering since 2012. There is currently a team of 16 Street Pastors who spend Friday and Saturdays nights supporting hospitality businesses and visitors to the town centre.
In receiving the award, Bill said “Thank you; we are very pleased to receive this award as a recognition of the work that our volunteers do in supporting the night-time economy. We say thank you to all the hospitality businesses who support us and its great to see how the number of pubs, bars and restaurants continues to grow.
Bill added ‘I look forward to seeing the number of people visiting the town centre in the evening continuing to grow and we will be here to ensure that they have a safe and enjoyable experience’.
Paul Ambrose, BID Manager said. “I have been fortunate to get to know Bill over the last few years and the support he and the team give to the night-time economy is invaluable. When enjoying a night out in Rochdale there are times when things don’t quite go to plan and you might need some assistance from a friendly face. Whether you’ve had too much to drink or you just need a chat – Bill and the team are on hand to go the extra mile to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable night. On behalf of the BID and the town centre hospitality businesses we thank Bill and the team for all that they do.
In the light of the amazing support that the Street Pastors provide it is with pleasure that we award them with an “Unsung Hero Award”.
If you are interested in supporting the Street Pastors, please get in touch with the BID Team on paul@rochdalebid.co.uk