Good weather skewed survey claim

CONTROVERSIAL move . . . Shaw Market

Oldham Council reports by IRAM RAMZAN and LUCY KENDERDINE

LIBERAL Democrat councillors have claimed positive responses to the Shaw Market move were “skewed” by good weather.

Plans to move stalls to Market Street after a 10-week trial were met with fierce opposition from Shaw Lib-Dem councillors at the full council meeting.

A consultation report had suggested market traders and shop owners have seen an upturn in business thanks to the move away from the existing market ground. A 350-name petition failed to stall the move.

Lib-Dem councillor Rod Blyth said: “The results of the report were skewed. For nine weeks it was dry and sunny every Thursday.”

Labour councillors said no negative feedback had been received from either transport bosses or local businesses.

Councillor Hannah Roberts said: “Clearly the lesson here is location, location, location. It is clear stall holders don’t want to move back to the old location.”