Work on new town centre plans to begin in Spring next year

Oldham Council is continuing the Big Oldham Conversation on the new town centre plans with a series of events in the run up to Christmas..

The authority has launched a new website outlining the major regeneration projects which will help to breathe new life into the town centre.

The launch of the website follows consulation events in Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre where residents were given the opportunity to examine plans, and give feedback on the projects.

The first of the new events takes place this Saturday 20 November at The Spindles.

Staff will be on hand between 12pm-4pm at the entrance to Town Square, near Greggs and The Body Shop.

Cllr Shoab Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Business and Enterprise, said: "Thank you to everyone who has taken part so far. It has been great to speak with so many people in person and we look forward to continuing the conversation over the coming weeks.

"Please get involved, either online or by coming along to one of the future sessions. It's a chance to find out more about the future of the town centre and put your stamp on things."

The event on Saturday coincides with the Festive Fairy Tale Christmas launch which includes the lights switch-on and the opening of Santa's Grotto in The Spindles.

The following week, Saturday 27 November, as the Reindeer Parade takes place, there will be a further opportunity to engage with the plans. The team will be set up in Tommyfield Market from 11am-3pm.

Then, on Saturday 11 December - the same day as the Brass Monkeys brass band festival - there's a further event, with staff back at Town Square from 11am-3pm.

Cllr Arooj Shah, Oldham Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic and Social Reform, said: "All our future events are happening in-line with our popular Christmas events programme - so all the more reason to head into town!

"There’s been some really interesting feedback and some great ideas and suggestions for us to explore further.

"We want residents to be at the heart of Oldham’s transformation and to ensure you are included and well informed along the way. That’s what the Big Oldham Conversation on your new town centre is all about."

The projects include a new 5.7-acre town centre park, a new theatre and the redevelopment of Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre.  

The new and improved shopping centre includes a new Tommyfield Market, a new events space, new entrepreneur workspace, an arts and heritage archive centre, and improved shopping.
 
Residents' feedback on the Spindles projects will help to shape the planning application to redevelop the centre. It will be submitted towards the end of this year.
 
Subject to planning approval, work to demolish the former TJ Hughes unit to make way for the new market and events space will start in spring 2022.  

Building work on the new market, archive centre, entrepreneur workspace and events centre is due to start in the summer and will take around 18 months.   

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