Plans to redevelop Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre in Oldham have been approved by Oldham Council’s planning committee. The development will see space within Spindles completely repurposed – providing a new home for Tommyfield Market, improving retail areas and creating new venues for work, leisure and entertainment.
Cllr Amanda Chadderton, leader of the Council and cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said: “These plans will breathe much-needed new life into the town centre. We are creating a fantastic mixed-used building which offers something for everyone including shopping, entertainment, food and drink, culture, event space and places to work and grow your business.
“High streets have changed and are no longer sustainable if they just focus on retail. We are determined to make sure Oldham offers everything people tell us they want, and the redevelopment of Spindles is at the heart of this.”
The planning application sets out how the main shopping area will be on the lower mall and will connect to a new split-level Tommyfield Market, which will be built in and around the former TJ Hughes unit.
Stalls selling a wide range of products and services will be at mall level, while a dedicated food and drink court will connect to Parliament Square.
Above the market, there will be a new events space for public and private use with a rooftop terrace offering views across the borough.
Chadderton said the design and layout will allow the food market and events space to stay open until late – boosting Oldham’s night-time offer for residents and visitors.
A new archive space will also give people better access to Oldham’s museum, archive and library collections – much of which is currently in storage. This space will be developed within part of the Town Square mall and car park. Space freed up by this move will be used for a new theatre and improved cultural quarter.
Spindles and the car park will be open throughout the redevelopment, which is expected to take around 18 months. Tommyfield Market will continue to operate within the existing market hall until it relocates to its new home.
