Shopping? It’s all on your doorstep

A CAMPAIGN to persuade people to shop in Shaw will be launched on Thursday.

Oldham Council’s campaign aims to make people think about the valuable and convenient service they get from community shops and businesses.

Called “Think Local — Shop Shaw”, it is funded by money paid by Asda for the construction of its store in Eastway.

Howard Sykes, the leader of Oldham Council and a member of Shaw and Crompton Parish Council, said: “The construction of Asda has been a great draw.

“However, there is a possibility of people not fully appreciating what a good place Shaw centre is for shopping. This is something that the council wants to address.

“This campaign aims to remind people what they have here in Shaw and to make it clear that shops and services need to be used or there is a good chance that they may not be around for ever, which would leave Shaw and its residents a poorer place.

“The council is committed to the regeneration of all the borough and Shaw is no exception.

“So I am delighted that we have been able to make use of the money that is available to us to get this campaign off the ground.

“The next step is up to residents and visitors.”

The campaign will be launched at Shaw Market with a free giveaway of shopping bags, pens, balloons, stickers and note-pads.

All shops supporting the campaign will have a sticker to display in their window.

Shoppers will be able to claim a free cotton shopping bag from participating shops when they spend £10 or more.

A passport scheme is also planned for the new year with regular monthly cash prizes.

The Asda money is paying for a host of improvements to Shaw centre.

Work includes new road and pedestrian signs, the pedestrianisation of Newtown Street, a pedestrian crossing in Greenfield Lane, paving in Horton Square and the refurbishment of the footway at Milne Street.

New bays in Westway should prevent the problem of parking spaces being clogged up all day.

For more information, contact Liz Kershaw on 0161-770 4168 or go to

www.oldham.gov.uk/shoplocal