Petition launched to preserve Tommyfield name of Oldham market

A petition to keep the Tommyfield name for Oldham's new market has gathered just 17 signatures so far, but the debate over the historic name is stirring strong feelings in the town. The current Tommyfield Market, which has served generations of Oldhamers since the 1990s, closes for good on March 21, with traders moving to the new market opening in Spindles on March 28.

The council's decision to call the new market simply 'The Market' and the adjoining space 'The Loom' has upset some residents who see it as erasing part of Oldham's heritage. Petition starter Kathryn Burns argues that 'Tommyfield' represents more than just a building-it's a name woven into the town's identity for over 200 years.

While some residents welcome the change, saying it's time to move on, others fear the new market won't survive without genuine traders. The council has already planned to honour the Tommyfield name elsewhere, with a new green space in the town centre to be called Tommyfield Park as part of wider regeneration plans.

The new market opens at 9am on March 28 with a day of activities and entertainment, and the first 100 visitors will receive free goodie bags. Council leader Arooj Shah has called the closure 'the end of an era' but says Oldham's market heritage will continue in the new space.