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Market pitch goes before planners
Date published: 13 October 2009
THE streets of Oldham town centre could soon be bustling with stalls and shoppers after plans to revitalise ailing Tommyfield Market were submitted.
Council bosses are applying for planning permission to extend the car park area in Albion Street and use the land for temporary outdoor stalls.
Land on Curzon Street also forms part of the ambitious proposals.
If the application is successful, the new-look market could be fully operational by Christmas.
The area behind the current market hall will be repackaged as a specialised shopping area with the potential for farmer’s markets, a flea market, specialist Asian and antique stalls. And plans to replace the tired-looking wooden stalls with new gazebo-style huts, which can be taken down at the end of each trading day, will bring an end to the eyesore empty stalls which currently blight the market area.
Shoppers and stallholders can also look forward to extra parking space behind the market hall, as empty stone stalls on the outskirts of the outdoor market are demolished to create some extra space.
Comments
yet another con! the carpark they want to extend is hardly used anyway! why on earth do they want more spaces unless they're going to be free of charge!
its a big con to transfer the stalls to the pedestrianised streets below to free the land up to sell on in the future. thats all ombc are good at now!
if parking was free oldham would be more attractive to shoppers, shops themselves and other businesses.
I've had a reight good idea. Why not repackage the area behind the market hall as a specialised shopping area. Fill the area with new substantial stalls, let at realistic rents, to attract more varied traders. Refurbish the permanent stalls on the periphery. Give the whole area a catchy name. How about 'Tommyfield'. Extend car park area in Albion Street and use it for farmer’s markets, a flea market, specialist Asian and antique stalls, or even a car park! Keep streets clear for ensuing rush.
The final few nails in the Tommyfield coffin?
But we'll have some more car parking to visit the bland town centre.
If the council had out in the effort years ago then we might stil have a viable market like Bury, which brings in shoppers from far and wide. Even Ashton has a better market htese days.
I think Oldham is a real cheap place to live these days with all the poundshops that have sprung up and places like Home Bargains.We dont need the market anymore and it had become something of an eyesore.If good sense prevails with the way the stalls are allocated then there should be a much wider variety of goods for sale.If it is a disaster then i will go back to shopping on Ashton market which as a really good atmosphere.
Have Your Say
I for one, stopped shopping in oldham around 15 years ago, never been since. There are much more pleasant towns to shop in not too far away. No gangs hanging around looking for trouble etc. Its the way forward.
By timberwolf @ 13/10/2009 13:02:29