Oldham Council is moving forward with a proposal to rename a stretch of road in the town centre to honour Sir Norman Stoller, a local businessman and philanthropist.
The "Sir Norman Stoller Way" will be located on a section of Egerton Street between St Mary’s Way and Horsedge Street following consultation with local residents and businesses.
The newly designated "Sir Norman Stoller Way" will span from the mini-roundabout outside The Blue Coat School to the junction with St Mary’s Way, passing in front of Mahdlo Youth Zone and Summit Up in recognition of celebrating Sir Norman’s contributions to youth work in the heart of Oldham, as Mahdlo has been greatly supported by the Stoller Charitable Trust.
Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “Sir Norman’s contributions to Oldham, the economy, young people, business, and good causes are simply unmatched. The way he has supported the town and our residents over the years is inspirational. With this renaming, we’re paying tribute to his enduring impact on our Borough.”
As part of today’s celebrations, a historic blue plaque recognising the invention of the tubular bandage by Seton Products, Sir Norman’s company, has been repaired and reinstalled. The plaque was originally placed on the head office building, Tubiton House, but was thought lost when the building was demolished after Sir Norman retired and sold the company to Mölnlycke. Fortunately, the plaque was recently rediscovered and has now been restored and reinstalled within Mölnlycke's grounds. It commemorates not only the invention of the tubular bandage but also Sir Norman’s leadership in founding and guiding influential companies such as Seton Products and SSL International PLC.
Sir Norman expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating: "I'm humbled by this honour and it really is a privilege to be recognised by Oldham Council in this special way."
Born in 1934, Sir Norman ran the Oldham firm Seton Healthcare, which was founded by his father, Ivor, the inventor of the tubular bandage. After serving in the RAF, Sir Norman started working for the company and eventually built it into a worldwide brand and one of Oldham’s biggest employers. His philanthropic endeavours through the Stoller Charitable Trust have significantly benefited the community, including support for Mahdlo, the Get Oldham Working campaign, and two world-leading cancer research centres.
In recognition of his remarkable generosity, Sir Norman has received several honours, including a knighthood in 2016.