Plans lodged for Spindles redevelopment

The transformation of Spindles Town Square shopping centre in Oldham has moved an important step closer with the submission of a full planning application.Plans detail how the council propose to create a new home for Tommyfield Market, improve the retail areas and provide new venues for work, leisure, and family entertainment. Planning permission to demolish the former TJ Hughes store was granted in January. This will pave the way for a new Tommyfield Market and proposals include extending this part of the shopping centre into Parliament Square.It will create a new entrance to the relocated split-level market with a food court surrounded by food and drink traders connecting to Parliament Square. There will be a retail market linking to the shopping mall.A new events space will be built above the new market, bringing a new venue for private and public functions and community use to the heart of the town centre. The council is also seeking permission to change the use of some retail areas in the upper floor of Spindles to office space. The ground floor of Spindles will also become a retail area.Subject to approvals, demolition of the TJ Hughes unit will begin first with work on the centre’s redevelopment starting in the summer. The new Spindles Town Square will be complete towards the end of next year. The shopping centre will be open throughout the redevelopment. A decision on the plans will be determined at a future meeting of the planning committee.