The new market at The Spindles has welcomed more than 50,000 visitors since it opened in March.

Oldham Council said footfall is up 15 per cent and trader sales are up by an average of 20 per cent each week. The market relocated to The Spindles as part of a £450million town centre investment.

Mark Crossley at Crossley's Fish said the business has seen "around a 20 per cent increase in visitors" since the move. He said people have travelled from Saddleworth, Shaw and Crompton to visit, including customers the shop had not seen for years.

Patrick Scrivens at Town Barber Too said footfall has increased because people can walk through the building. Ross McGivern at The Greenroom cafe and sandwich bar said the move has brought in new customers and brought back people who had not been in for years because of the new location.

Kelly Bentley at The Hen House said trade has improved, with new customers including council staff visiting during lunch breaks or after work.

The council said shops in The Spindles have recorded a 10 per cent rise in visitor numbers.

The Spindles redevelopment has been nominated for Retrofit Project of the Year at the Manchester Property Awards.

The site of the old Tommyfield Market will now start to be developed into phase 2 of the new Tommyfield Park.