Strategy agreed for Oldham Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre after consultation paving the way for redevelopment plans

Oldham Council has thanked the community for taking part in a consultation to help shape the redevelopment of Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre and Tommyfield Market.

More than 2,000 people had their say with many exciting ideas and suggestions now being fed into the plans.

The copuncil also consulted separately with Tommyfield Market traders to seek their views on how they want their future market to operate when it relocates into the shopping centre.

In addition, carried out preliminary market engagement to connect with potential development partners – an exercise to help shape and inform a procurement and delivery strategy. As a result, they now have an agreed procurement and delivery strategy for the project.

Cllr Sean Fielding, Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said: “It’s been a fantastic few weeks with our vision to transform Spindles edging closer to reality.

“We had an overwhelming response to our initial consultations and it’s great to see residents, market traders and the development community are just as enthusiastic about this as we are.

“This is just the first stage in involving you in our proposals. This is ‘the people’s Spindles’ and you will continue to be at the heart it now and in the future.”

We’re now looking at which ideas we can take forward in the immediate future – and which can be part of the longer-term redevelopment.

Some requests have already been put in place, such as accessible toilet signage. We also have other upcoming improvements including extra parking payment machines to reduce queues and we will soon be refurbishing toilet and baby changing facilities.

The consultation update comes as Town Square celebrates its 40th anniversary and shops and businesses across the borough prepare to re-open following the lifting of lockdown restrictions on 12th April.

Cllr Fielding added: “The past year has been incredibly difficult and sadly the high street has suffered a great deal as a result.

“We need a town centre that offers much more than just shopping. The consultation has illustrated that there’s a real appetite for new food and drink businesses and an increased leisure and culture offer including activities for families and young people. Lots of people also said they want to see more independent businesses and more things to do at night.

“We look forward to working up your ideas and sharing more news and engagement opportunities as soon as we can.

“In the meantime, shop local and back your local high street businesses and market traders as they re-open – they really need all our support to help them get back on their feet.”

Oldham Council purchased Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre in October 2020. The redevelopment is a key part of Oldham Council’s Creating a Better Place regeneration strategy.

It will provide a sustainable future for Tommyfield Market, unlock brownfield land for much-needed redevelopment and create jobs and apprenticeship opportunities for residents to support Oldham’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.