OLDHAM Council has completed a public consultation on the redevelopment of Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre.
The council purchased the landmark building in Autumn 2020 for £9.5m – to provide a new home for Tommyfield Market and kickstart redevelopment across the town centre.
In addition to bringing the market into Spindles, the authority are also exploring options for how the shopping centre can be redeveloped further as part of the Council’s economic and Covid-19 recovery plans.
In February 2021, the council asked for feedback from the borough’s resident through an on-line survey.
Cllr Sean Fielding, Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said: “We bought Spindles with a clear aim – to support the future of Oldham.
“This includes providing Tommyfield Market with a much-needed new home, ensuring Spindles Town Square has a wide-ranging offer that isn’t just focused on retail and to unlock land for new homes, a new park and public open space.
“We want everyone to have their say, your opinion and ideas are so important. It’s an opportunity to tell us what you want from the future Tommyfield Market and Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre – and for us to learn from this and feed them into our plans.”
The council say this was an initial survey to gauge public opinion on the current offer and what people need and want to see in the future. As plans take shape, they’ve pledged to continue to engage, to ensure residents “play a part in the project every step of the way”.
The authority also launched a soft market testing exercise which will give developers the chance to engage and outline their approach to delivering the redevelopment project. This is an important step in bringing the redevelopment vision to life.
As well as giving Tommyfield Market a new home, the Council are also looking at other new developments within the shopping centre. Initial plans include a flexible contemporary workspace to appeal to new entrepreneurs and growing sectors like creative design and media.
The redevelopment of Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre is a key part of Oldham Council’s ‘Creating a Better Place’ strategy.
Cllr Fielding added: “By making the town centre a family friendly, accessible, inclusive place to live, work and spend time for leisure – we can breathe new life into it and ensure it has a sustainable and thriving future.
“Most importantly, these new development plans will ensure we can create jobs and apprenticeship opportunities for our residents at this really difficult time.”