Awards and recognition in 2025
This page lists the awards we've won so far in 2025.
North West in Bloom 2025
We and our partner organisations were awarded an incredible 23 gold awards, including:
- Best small cities – Rochdale in Bloom, Middleton in Bloom
- Best large towns – Heywood in Bloom, Littleborough, Pennines in Bloom
- Best town/city centre – Rochdale, Middleton and Heywood. Middleton town centre took gold and overall category winner in the wider Britain in Bloom awards.
- Best town – Norden, Wardle Village
- Small retail commercial/industrial park – Pinnacle Living Ltd, Zen Internet
- Large retail commercial/industrial park – Heywood Distribution Park
- Large parks – Queen's Park, Heywood and Denehurst Park, Rochdale
- Pocket park – Jubilee Park, Norden
- Small park – Jubilee Park, Middleton and Hare Hill Park, Littleborough
- Best small tourist attraction – Healey Dell Heritage Centre and Tea Rooms
- Large tourist attraction – Hollingworth Lake
- Best large accommodation – Birtle Brook Village, Rochdale
- Best urban community – Kirkholt and Balderstone, Spotland and Falinge
- Clean Sweep award – Rochdale Town Centre
- Best Art in the Community – Middleton Heritage Mural
- Jolly Josh Inclusive Greenspace Award – Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Yew Tree
We and our partner organisations were also awarded 3 silver gilt awards, including:
- Small Park – Hopwood Park, Heywood
- Urban community – Spotland and Falinge
- Business Improvement District (BID) – Rochdale Town Centre Business Improvement District
And 3 silver awards, including:
- Urban community – Castleton, Healey, Syke and Shawclough
- Small accommodation – The Olde Boars Head, Middleton
- Retail/commercial/industrial park (large) – Stakehill BID, Middleton
And 1 bronze award:
- Small Accommodation – The Globe Inn, Pennines
Sitemorse Q3 2025 Local Government INDEX
The council's website came 10th out of over 350 websites tested in the Sitemorse Local Government INDEX for the 3rd quarter (July–September) in 2025.
In the UK Local Government sector, the INDEX ranks local government websites across the whole UK for areas including performance, compliance, accessibility and quality. This award demonstrates our commitment to making our website accessible to all.
Green Flag Awards
12 of Rochdale’s Borough Council’s green spaces again secured the prestigious Green Flag Award in 2025.
This international award recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces. It's a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is kept beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.
Sitemorse Q2 2025 Local Government INDEX
The council's website came 3rd out of over 350 websites tested in the Sitemorse Local Government INDEX for the 2nd quarter (April–June) in 2025.
In the UK Local Government sector, the INDEX ranks local government websites across the whole UK for areas including performance, compliance, accessibility and quality. This award demonstrates our commitment to making our website accessible to all.
Carbon Literate Organisation – bronze
In 2025 we were accredited as a bronze Carbon Literate Organisation (CLO) for the 2nd year running. The Carbon Literacy Project is based on the key aim that if we are to cut our carbon emissions by the kind of reductions demanded of us by science, then we will need to change culture alongside technology. We offer Carbon Literacy training through our workplaces and have been awarded bronze.
CLO accreditation is the visible ‘badge’ that shows our commitment to Carbon Literacy (CL), having a substantial number of people who are Carbon Literate, and having a commitment to support our Carbon Literate people and maintain our low carbon culture.
Internet Crystal Mark 2025
The council's website achieved the Internet Crystal Mark awarded by the Plain English Campaign for the 12th consecutive year. There were many positives highlighted within the report. One of the highlights in the summary said, 'This year again the Rochdale Borough Council website is one of the best we’ve reviewed.'.
This award demonstrates our continued commitment to plain English throughout the website.
Sitemorse Q1 2025 Local Government INDEX
The council's website came 5th out of almost 350 websites tested in the Sitemorse Local Government INDEX for the 1st quarter (January–March) in 2025.
In the UK Local Government sector, the INDEX ranks local government websites across the whole UK for areas including performance, compliance, accessibility and quality. This award demonstrates our commitment to making our website accessible to all.