The letter from the businesses

WE the undersigned traders of Yorkshire Street, Union Street, George Street and High Street urgently require action from the council to help offset the devastating combined effect of the recession and the Metrolink civil engineering.
Firstly, it is necessary for visitors driving to Oldham to be given clear and concise directions to the town’s four principal shopping streets.

It should be appreciated that visitors from out of town do not necessarily know these streets’ relationship to “Town Centre” or “Spindles”. When their sat-nav goes haywire on arrival at the roadworks, they are truly lost. Many give up trying and go elsewhere to do their shopping to the detriment of Oldham. Directions should be in the form of permanent signposts at all junctions, specifically naming the streets and, in the case of Union Street, which part, for example “East” or “West”. Car park signs should identify their suitability for particular streets allowing motorists to leave their cars and walk the short distance to their destination.

In addition to the obvious benefits to the traders, the council will gain considerable income from much improved utilisation of the currently little-used car parks thus offsetting much of the cost of sign posts.

The second point is that when Mumps station is open, Yorkshire Street will be the first view many visitors have of Oldham. Is the dereliction and shuttered shops conducive to creating a buoyant trading environment? Will it encourage shoppers to explore further? We think not!

When a unit closes down in a shopping mall like Spindles or Town Square, the gap is quickly covered by tasteful artwork so the shopper is not presented with the detritus of a failed business. It should be done on Yorkshire Street. There are premises, predominantly at the lower end of Yorkshire Street but also at various points up to the High Street, which have been closed for years. If these could be camouflaged in a similar way, maybe with the help of local artists or colleges, Yorkshire Street might give visitors a more positive first impression of the town.

It was recently suggested that traders should, at their own expense, improve their properties — many of us have done so already. The council now needs to do it’s part and help us survive the current situation and be ready for the upturn.

Andy’s Auto Parts

Belvoir Lettings

Desi

Giacomo

Grundy’s Hearing Centre

Lees Heginbotham Carpets

Manns Furnishers/Sleep Shop

Marios

Muso’s

Nosh

Oldham Angling

Oldham Chiropractic & Physiotherapy

Open Fire Centre

PC Assist

Picture This

Simpsons of Oldham (Jewellers)

Skidmore Cycles

Smooth Moves

Sugarflair Cakes

Tennant Podiatory

The Hair Lounge

Treble Darts & Trophies

Tymbuktu

William Anthony Hairdressers

Wino’s

Zohm

Zutti