‘Final nail’ fear for changing market

Long-awaited £475,000 plans to transform ailing Tommyfield Market have been approved — despite fears that it it will be the final nail in its coffin.

The once-great attraction is set to be transformed into a street market by Christmas.

Removable gazebo-type stalls will adorn Albion Street, Curzon Street and behind the market hall on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Most brick units on the existing outdoor market will be demolished and the number of car parking spaces increased from 72 to 201.

Proposals were approved by eight votes to five by the planning committee which heard concerns from market traders about the stalls.

Councillor Mike Buckley was among those who opposed the plans, saying they would turn the existing site into a car park.

He blamed lack of council investment for Tommyfield’s decline and added: “This is just another nail in the coffin. I do not think it will save anything. A car park is the lowest form of use we can put in a town centre. It is a very negative step.”

Councillor John Hudson added: “We need to create a proper market or do away with it. I am plainly saying I don’t think this is the answer.”

However, Councillor Steven Bashforth urged people to take off their “rose tinted, Hovis glasses” when looking at Tommyfield.

Councillor Rod Blythe said: “What the market was in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s has gone and it’s not coming back.”


METROLINK’S long-awaited extension into Oldham town centre is on track after councillors gave the green light for tram stops in Union Street and Westwood.

PROPOSALS for a storage building at Clough Manor Hotel, Denshaw, and a detached house at 21 Lovers Lane, Grasscroft, were refused.

A MOVE to prevent vehicles from using the passage between 166 Minor Road and 20-24 Norman Street, Failsworth, has been dropped after fears that it would be used as a rat-run proved unfounded.