Transformation of Spindles Shopping Centre with new market and food court given green light
10.06.2022 - 14:09
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Councillors have given the green light to multi-million plans to transform Spindles Shopping Centre and create a new market and food court.
A meeting of Oldham's planning committee on Wednesday night saw members vote on proposals to redevelop the building, which the council purchased in 2020 for £9.5m. The plans lodged by the local authority will see Tommyfield market relocated, offices created in the upper floors for council staff, as well as an events venue, heritage space, and food court.
Chris Sinton, the agent for the application, said: “These comprehensive regeneration proposals, which reinvigorate existing buildings and re-use previously developed land in a highly accessible location will secure a number of social, environmental and economic benefits, both during construction and operation.
“Spindles Town Square has been at the heart of the community for 40 years and these proposals will ensure it remains there for many generations to come.”
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He said the development would create new jobs, and bring footfall back into the town centre.
The report to the committee states that the development will be able to accommodate 1,750 full time jobs once completed, generating around £83 million. It will also see Tommyfield Market relocated into the shopping centre in a new purpose built space from its existing location on Henshaw Street.
Planning permission was granted for the demolition of the TJ Hughes unit in the shopping centre earlier this year, which will be replaced by the new market. The replacement unit will extend into Parliament Square, with an entrance created to the new split-level market.
Planning officer