Failsworth Town Centre
Failsworth Town Centre is taking shape….
The redevelopment of Failsworth Town Centre is taking shape. The most recent development is the new Tesco Extra store which opened in summer 2007.
The opportunity to regenerate Failsworth Town Centre was originally kick-started by the award of Millennium Commission grant, which funded the refurbishment of the Rochdale Canal between Sowerby Bridge and Manchester. This resulted in the demolition of the old Co-op store and the creation of a cleared site, suitable for development. The Council's development partner, OPP Ltd, marketed the site to a range of food operators. In March 2006 Tesco stores signed a contract with OPP Ltd for an 88,000 square foot Tesco food store on the site, a petrol filling station and a car park for approximately 550 cars.
The new Tesco store opened in summer 2007. The construction works included all the land as well as landscaping up to the bank of the reconstructed Rochdale Canal and have brought the total investment in Failsworth Town Centre to over £30 million with still more to come.
Development in the last few years has also included a new primary health centre and canal side apartments.
Failsworth benefits from connections to Manchester City Centre, Oldham Town Centre and the M60. Failsworth is also close to the Hollinwood Business District, which has plans over the next years to create an office district and hotel.
Next phase of development
The current economic climate and credit crunch is slowing down development activity across the country.During the next few months the council will continue to work with OPP Ltd on a long term plan for the redevelopment of the remaining district centre area.
Jobs for local people
Tesco’s commitment to the redevelopment is a vital part of completing the jigsaw at Failsworth. Local residents are also benefiting from an employment scheme, set up by the Oldham Partnership, which ensures that local unemployed people will get jobs in the new store following an in-depth training period.
The Government Department of Communities and Local Government has a special interest in the success of the scheme, as it is keen to monitor the impact of the regeneration of the town centre not only in terms of other investment but also in the boost to local employment.
Failsworth Pole
Improvements to the Failsworth Pole have recently been completed with funding from Housing Market Renewal and European Regional Development Funding (ERDF).
Public Consultation
Failsworth people and businesses will be given opportunities to find out more about options and proposals for the area as they emerge. These opportunities will be publicised through the local press and this website.
For more information on activity in the Failsworth Town Centre please telephone the Regeneration Directorate on 0161 770 4975 or email regeneration@oldham.gov.uk