Oldham Council has unveiled plans for Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre following its acquisition to help regenerate the area, according to a report from The Business Desk.
The council has received lots of ideas and suggestions from residents, businesses and market traders through recent consultations, which have been considered in the redesign which is said will help change the future of the building and support the town centre and local economy to recover.
They include requests for more things for all ages to do and see – including food, drink, leisure and entertainment – alongside a better retail offer.
The new market stretches from Town Square, through the former TJ Hughes unit and extends into Parliament Square.
The space will be redeveloped to provide a purpose-built new market, offering enhanced visibility in the heart of the town centre, with direct access to both the shopping centre and the Old Town Hall.
This area will also house two flexible spaces which the council said can be used for things the likes of live cooking demos, pop-ups, small exhibitions, family activities and market events.
There are also proposals to create a separate larger split-level events venue above the new market hall which can be used for private and public functions and will feature roof top views of the borough.
Cllr Arooj Shah, Oldham Council leader and cabinet member for economic and social reform, said: “The way we shop has changed over the years and the pandemic has sadly accelerated the changing face of the high street across the UK, making the need for investment more important than ever.
“But the redevelopment is not just about shiny new buildings. It underpins our Creating a Better Place regeneration strategy by enabling the wider regeneration of Oldham and supporting the borough’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
“Oldham Council is leading by example, investing in our town for our residents and businesses.
“It will help to get a wider footfall back in the town centre while releasing sites like the Civic Centre and existing market hall for redevelopment – in turn protecting our green belt by putting brownfield first. And in doing that we can create over 2,000 new homes, 1,000 jobs and 100 apprenticeships when they are much needed.”
