Photos show next stage of massive town centre regeneration

The next phase of Oldham's massive town centre regeneration is now visible, with construction equipment digging up pavements outside Spindles shopping centre and at the Prince's Gate car park site. Diggers have been spotted outside Costa near Spindles, with sections of walkway fenced off and old cobbles removed. The Prince's Gate car park has been closed to the public as contractors begin work on the site, which will eventually house 331 new homes as part of the Oldham Council partnership with...

This isn't sudden work-the Spindles improvements have been ongoing since May 2024 and are expected to continue until November this year. The regeneration has already delivered several major changes to the town centre, including a new children's park, green spaces, and the recently opened market hall in Parliament Square that has attracted shoppers. The former Tommyfield Market will be demolished to make way for a new town centre park, while the outdoor market area has been allocated for the...

Cultural landmarks are also being restored, with work continuing on the Oldham Coliseum Theatre, which was saved in 2024 thanks to community campaigners. Plans include a brand new entranceway, and the council has announced proposals to purchase and demolish the vacant Harry's Bar on Yorkshire Street to create a new town square that will improve sightlines to the theatre. The £32 million refurbishment of the Old Library has been completed, now renamed the JR Clynes building, housing the Council...

Despite these changes, the regeneration has drawn mixed reactions from residents, and its effectiveness in attracting more businesses to the centre remains to be seen. Several shops have closed inside Spindles, including Bodycare, Select, WHSmith, and Claire's, though a new post office has opened following the WHSmith closure. Future plans include demolishing the Civic Centre to make way for six apartment blocks creating over 800 homes, while the Civic Tower will be refurbished into a hotel.