Double blow for shoppers

MOUNTAIN to climb: Simon Taylor, owner of Mountainfeet (above), is concerned about the future of independent trade.

Two more stores to close – and others fear for future
TWO more high street names are to close in Oldham town centre, with other shops fearing for their survival.

Tough trading conditions have led to fashion store New Look and Superdrug both announcing they are to shut up shop inside the Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre in the next few weeks.

And the owner of another renowned Oldham retailer has called for smaller businesses to band together to fight for their futures amidst fears the town centre could become a ghost town.

The closures come hot on the heels of recent Spindles losses of well-known brands such as sports company JJB Sport, discount department store TJ Hughes and entertainment retailer HMV.

New Look will close the doors of its Oldham branch tomorrow and has informed customers, through a sign in the window, that stocks of clothing, shoes and accessories are being sold off.

The company has 684 stores throughout the UK, Republic of Ireland and across Europe.

A spokesman for the company could only confirm the date of the last day of trading and that the nearest New Look stores are in Ashton, Middleton and Rochdale. She refused to give an explanation for the closure or how many staff would be affected.

Superdrug, the UK’s second-largest health and beauty retailer, will also pull down its shutters to Spindles Centre customers one last time on September 19.

The company currently operates over 900 stores in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It, too, placed a sign in its window informing customers of its last day of trading.

Meanwhile, Simon Taylor, owner of Mountainfeet, believes the new Metrolink trams cutting through Union Street could well be the “final straw” for some town-centre businesses.

Mr Taylor (48), whose outdoor store is at the Mumps end of Union Street, called for smaller businesses to “band together” before it’s too late.

He said: “The Metrolink may well act as a broom that could sweep many small businesses, both good and bad, out of town, leaving the field clear for investors to clone Oldham with national chain stores devoid of expertise and local character.

“Although the disruption cannot be blamed entirely for the problems small retailers are experiencing this year, it could well be the final straw for some.

“As our local footfall has dwindled, we have cultivated a destination- type customer who travels to us from out of town for our expertise and high level of service. But even those are having second thoughts about visiting until the congestion eases.”

Transport chiefs insist Metrolink will be a key catalyst for regeneration that will transform Mumps and Union Street to the benefit of businesses.

And there has been some good news for Spindles with jewellers Pandora welcomed in and Mays Pawnbroker and Jewellers moving to inside the centre from this coming Saturday.

Town-centre trade has seen the loss of some big name stores such as Woolworths, but there has been an increase in independent retailers, such as Muso’s in Yorkshire Street, and there are low vacancy rates in the town centre, according to town-centre manager Sarah Hewitt.

The Oldham Evening Chronicle attempted to contact Mike Flanagan, Spindles Town Square manager, but he was unavailable for comment.


MORE than 2,000 businesses in Oldham currently benefit from double tax breaks, new figures show.
According to the Department for Communities and Government, 2,202 businesses across the borough — 31 per cent of the total — are either paying no business rates or are receiving up to a 50 per cent discount. Under the Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) scheme small businesses can reduce their bills by up to half, dependent on the rateable value of the property.

Businesses with a rateable value of £6,000 or less previously got a 50 per cent discount and in addition businesses with rates between £6,001 and £12,000 received a discount on a sliding scale.

But last year ministers announced they were doubling the SBRR discount, meaning many businesses would not pay any tax. The scheme was later extended until October, 2012.

Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said: “Small shops and firms are at the heart of our communities, and it has never been more important to support them as they help rebuild and re-grow this country’s economy for the future.