Published: Thursday, 10th March 2022
The transformation of Spindles Town Square shopping centre has moved an important step closer with the submission of a full planning application.
The plans detail how we propose to create a new home for Tommyfield Market, improve the retail areas and provide new venues for work, leisure, and family entertainment.
Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “This is an exciting milestone in making this project a reality, and I'm so glad that we'll soon be seeing work taking place.
"I can't wait to see the revamped centre with all the new facilities. It's going to make a huge difference to our town centre, along with lots of other brilliant projects like the new Jubilee Park, new theatre, restored Old Library and the development of a hotel and supermarket at Prince's Gate.
"The future of Oldham is looking really positive and we're working hard to create a town centre we can all be proud of."
The plans were informed by comments and feedback received through the Big Oldham Conversation public consultation. Face to face engagement sessions were held in the town centre throughout last winter, while the online consultation portal also received hundreds of comments.
People can also now comment on the planning application itself, via the Oldham Council website.
Cllr Shah added: "Thank you to everyone who has had their say on the Spindles redevelopment so far. It's great to see that so many people are looking forward to this huge revamp finally taking place.
“We asked what things were most important to you as we transform the centre and your top five answers were independent shops, improved toilets, more high street shops, more food and drink and more activities suitable for all ages.
“You also gave us ideas for how you would like to use Spindles and its new venues in the future – such as community events, music concerts and comedy shows in the new event space and that you want independent traders, product choice, and food and drink on the market.
“We've listened to what you have to say, and acted on some of your ideas straight away - such as by launching our amazing new Oldham Made shop which celebrates independent businesses from across Oldham. We've also refurbished parts of the centre including the toilets, and have more planned to improve accessibility during the redevelopment.
"We'll continue to use your feedback as the redevelopment progresses, to make sure we provide the things you’ve told us you want.”
Planning permission to demolish the former TJ Hughes store was granted in January. This will pave the way for a new Tommyfield Market and our proposals include extending this part of the shopping centre into Parliament Square.
This will create a new entrance to the relocated split-level market with a food court surrounded by food and drink traders connecting to Parliament Square and a dedicated retail market linking to the shopping mall.
A new events space will be built above the new market, bringing a new venue for private and public functions and community use to the heart of the town centre.
In a former Town Square shop and section of the Town Square car park, we plan to create a new store for Oldham’s artefacts and museum archives that are not currently on display. The new archive centre will be open to the public - right in the heart of the centre so that anyone can visit and view the displays.
We’re also seeking permission to change the use of some retail areas in the upper floor of Spindles to office space. This will allow us to create much needed co-working space for new local businesses, entrepreneurs and for some Oldham Council services.
The ground floor of Spindles will become a dedicated retail area, making it easier for shoppers to navigate their way around the centre and giving them a better shopping experience. This core retail area will also help to make the centre more sustainable for the future.
Cllr Shah added: “The high street and the way we shop continues to change. That's why we bought Spindles and developed these plans, to give our town centre a long-term future.
“We’re kickstarting a huge investment in Oldham, and with it we’ll create quality jobs for Oldhamers and new opportunities for our local businesses."
Subject to approvals, demolition of the TJ Hughes unit will begin first with work on the centre’s redevelopment starting in the summer. Your brand-new Spindles Town Square will be complete towards the end of next year.
The shopping centre will be open throughout the redevelopment and we will work hard to minimise disruption.
You can read the proposals in full and comment on them by visiting www.oldham.gov.uk/searchplanning and searching for the application using the reference number FUL/348415/22.
A decision on the plans will be determined at a future meeting of the planning committee.