Oldham Council is looking at new possibilities for a site in Mumps after coming to a mutual agreement with supermarket chain Lidl GB to not proceed with the sale of land.
An existing conditional contract outlined plans for a supermarket and a 68-bedroom hotel in 2019. While a hotel chain had previously entered into an agreement with Lidl GB, it subsequently pulled out. Unfortunately, due to volatility in the hospitality sector post-covid, another chain could not be found.
Original contract terms between the council and Lidl GB required full completion of both the supermarket and hotel premises. As such, the agreed development conditions were unable to be fulfilled and the decision was made to terminate the conditional contract.
A recommendation is set to be proposed at the Council’s Cabinet on Monday 23 January. We are reviewing options for this location and expect to announce shortly its preferred uses and re-marketing timescale.
Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Leader of the Council, said:
“We are obviously extremely disappointed by the outcome of the situation.
“I want to reassure people that we are continuing to work hard to deliver a positive outcome at the Prince’s Gate site, and we aim to turn our focus now into making this a positive opportunity for the land.
“Unfortunately, global events out of our control have affected the hotel market to such an extent, that they have told us this is no longer viable for them, given how hard they have been hit financially over recent years.
“It was 2014 when retail plans for Princes Gate were first discussed. Oldham Town Centre and our regeneration plans have moved on significantly since then with the renovation of the Old Town Hall, the hugely ambitious programme for Spindles and what will be the new indoor market and significant investment and ongoing work at the old Public Library.
“We are committed to making Oldham Town Centre a place to live, work and socialise and in addition to the improved leisure offer, this is coming to fruition in the form of Accessible Oldham, the new Brian Clarke Academy and our plans for up to 2000 new homes in the town centre.
“We will use the coming months to reflect on how best we can develop Princes Gate to enhance our hugely ambitious plans and improve the town centre further”.
To find out more about our Creating a Better Place programme, visit: www.oldham.gov.uk/regeneration