Oldham Council is urging residents to ‘love their local market and shop local’ as Tommyfield Market prepares to reopen on Monday 15 June after nearly three months.
This comes after the government began to ease more lockdown restrictions this week, including the reopening of some schools and non-essential shops, alongside new guidance on social gatherings.
Social distancing and hand sanitiser are just some of the health and safety measures that will be in place when traders and shoppers return to the indoor market hall with a controlled access point through the main entrance – at the top of Curzon Street – also set to be introduced to ensure the safest possible return for everyone entering the building.
While some traders have been able to operate their businesses from home with online deliveries and collection services, this will be the first opportunity that many traders have had since late March to get their business back up and running.
That’s why it is more important than ever before for shoppers to stay local as Oldham joins a national effort to help small businesses recover from the nationwide lockdown.
Tommyfield Market boasts more than 100 stalls with a wide-variety of produce on sale for shoppers.
From beautiful summer flowers at Blooming Dales and Flowers by Olivia, to a selection of succulent cooked meats on offer at Oldham Fresh Farms LTD and Hen house, fresh juicy fish at Crossley’s Fish, and quality clothing lines at Peter Haq Womenswear and Tommy Toggs Menswear, there’s loads to buy.
The market also boasts traditional stalls such as Bentley’s Master Butchers, fruit and vegetables from across the world at Taylor Produce, bakery goods at Marian’s and Oska’s, and family-run cobblers Jacksons.
There will be some stalls that won’t be able to reopen on Monday 15 because the government’s lockdown restrictions continue to impact businesses such as pubs, beauty salons and barber shops.
Nevertheless, we look forward to welcoming the likes of Town Barber Too, Cob and Coal and Vina Nails back to the market very soon.
Councillor Sean Fielding, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “Lockdown has been extremely difficult for small businesses up and down the country, including our market traders who are at the heart of our community and have been sorely missed by everyone.
“That is why it’s incredibly important that we give them our full support when they reopen by shopping local and loving our local market.
“Whether it be that you call in for a fresh loaf of bread, a new bit of jewellery with the money you’ve saved while staying at home, or a cup of tea at one of the many cafes, your custom will make a huge difference.
“It may feel a bit different as we introduce social distancing measures to protect everyone’s safety, but I can assure you our market is back in business.
“May I take this opportunity to thank our traders for their valuable contributions in helping us to get the market back up and running during this difficult time, and again to the traders who have been supporting the relief effort and our key workers.”
Elaine from Best Wishes said: “We hope everyone will appreciate that when we do get back in the market shopping, it’s going to be a little bit different than it was the last time you were in but we’ll all get through this together.
“We’ve missed you all and we hope to see you soon.”
Rehan from Kandy Kingdom said: “I can’t wait to get back to work at Tommyfeld Market and I hope to see everyone very soon.
“There will be some social distancing in place, but we need your help now more than ever to help protect small businesses.”
Justin from Brierley’s Footwear said: “I’m looking forward to getting back to work and seeing my customers once again, you’ve been truly missed from the banter to everything.
“I hope everyone has been keeping safe and I look forward to seeing you all soon, take care everybody.”
Plans for the reopening of Oldham’s Outdoor Markets are currently being finalised to ensure their safest possible return.
With the street markets being located in the heart of Oldham town centre, Royton and Shaw, extra safety measures will be required in these busy areas due to their close proximity to shops which are also implementing controlled access to their premises.
