Shaw market trial move

Oldham Council reports by Karen Doherty and Iram Ramzan

SHAW market is to be moved to the town’s main shopping street for a three-month trial this summer in a bid to drum up more business

The temporary move to Market Street was announced at last night’s meeting following consultation with residents, stallholders, business owners and others.

The market has only 11 traders, though many have been there for more than 20 years.

The trial, in the early summer, will put them closer to Asda and Aldi to attract more shoppers and stalls. The council will monitor the move, and if successful will spend £120,000 to make it permanent.

There have been calls to develop the existing site instead, but Councillor Jean Stretton, cabinet member for town centres, culture and tourism, said this would not attract new customers.

She said: “We believe that the temporary move to Market Street will give the stallholders a boost as they’ll be selling their goods on a busy shopping street.”