Hundreds back sign campaign
Date published: 27 August 2009
OLDHAM Evening Chronicle readers have backed local business man Frank Rothwell in his bid to get a Hollywood-style Hollinwood sign standing proud in the borough.
Hundreds answered the Chronicle’s “Are you backing Frank?” campaign after he owned up to being the brains behind the 8ft-high letters secretly put up on the M60 embankment.
The Hollinwood letters generated nationwide publicity but the Highways Agency swiftly removed them, claiming they were a distraction to drivers.
Now Frank, who owns Manchester Cabins, has sought planning permission from the local authority.
And from the results of our poll, Frank has the overwhelming backing of the borough in his bid to provide a stunning gateway to the area — something that will be seen by over a million motorists a week who use the M60.
The vast majority of readers who sent in forms or who voted by e-mail — they came from all over the borough and beyond and not only from the Hollinwood area — want to see the sign returned to the same spot on the upper reaches of the M60 verge.
Many see this as no different to other landmarks around the country and less intrusive than some of the advertising hoardings that are strategically placed on the edge of motorways. And if the motorway-verge option proves too much for the authorities to take, then placing the sign high on the former site of the Roxy cinema was another popular suggestion from readers.
One thing is for certain, Frank has certainly become a popular figure with Oldhamers who see his determination to succeed and his get-up-and-go attitude as something that Oldham Council should encourage and emulate rather than knock him back.
Readers’ comments were typified by Glenis Tomlinson when she said: “It was great and made you smile — and there is not a lot these days that does that.”
And Heidi Pickup added: “It brightened up many a dreary commute to work. Let’s hope Oldham Council can back the initiative too!”
Mr Rothwell said he had also received around 1,000 messages of support for the iconic art on his website — and that a similar sign could be put at the Roxy site, too.
He said: “I’m overwhelmed by the support of local people. For that many people to take their time to do this is great.
“It will take six to eight weeks to get a decision on the planning application. It’s likely it will get accepted but the Highways Agency own the land so I need people’s support when we put the presentation to the Highways Agency.
“We will need much more support to convince them that it’s a good thing to put on the motorway.
“It’s far more beneficial to go there but I’m not saying we can’t put one at the Roxy, too.
“I want to thank everyone for being so positive and we need their continued support when we have to persuade the Highways Authority it’s a really good idea.”
