Exciting new chapter for Oldham town centre as key announcements made at the Town Centre Forum

The announcements were made at the Oldham Town Centre Forum on Wednesday 18th June by Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of the Council, with businesses from across the Oldham area.  

It was exclusively revealed on the night that there will be brand new names for the three key parts of the town centre regeneration.  

The transformation of Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre is well underway and will be renamed as ‘The Spindles’ to reflect the town’s heritage and its multi-functional use as a dynamic space that blends shopping, business, and community activity.  

A major milestone in this project is the relocation of the indoor market into The Spindles. The new shopping area will be named as ‘The Market’. It will have two levels – a lower level opening onto Parliament Square, and an upper level linked to Spindles, all designed to create a seamless shopping experience blending traditional market offerings with modern retail. 

The Council are now working to support the stallholders as they are fitting out their new stalls – the Market is now expected to open in September. 

The new event space will be named ‘The Loom’ and is situated above the market, hosting a wide range of events all year round. The Loom will hold up to 1,000 people standing, around 700 seated and 500 people for dining.

It can be sub-divided as needed to host smaller or separate events and is expected to open in November.  

The Loom, The Market, and The Spindles are tribute to Oldham’s rich cotton heritage. Each name has been chosen to reflect a different thread of the town’s story, united by the industry that once made Oldham the cotton spinning capital of the world. 

From the spindles in the old mills, to the looms that turned the humble cotton yarn into cloth ready to go to bustling markets here and across the world where textiles were traded, the names connect the past to our exciting future.

Another announcement was the confirmation that Queen Elizabeth Hall will remain open until January 2026.  

This will ensure that this years much-loved annual Christmas pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, produced by Anton Benson, can go ahead as planned.  

Tickets for the show are now available to buy at www.ticketsource.co.uk/oldhampanto    

All customers with events scheduled between September and December 2025 will retain their bookings at QE Hall.  

Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said:  “As someone who knows and loves this town, I’m really proud to share these next steps in our journey and it was such a pleasure sharing the details at our first Town Centre Forum.” 

“The new names, The Loom, The Market and The Spindles, have been chosen to reflect who we are and where we’re going.  

“This really is exciting times for our beloved borough. We’re creating a town centre that feels like home and one we can all be proud of – where people want to live, work and raise their families.”  

To help enhance the visual appeal of key areas within Oldham Town Centre and support independent businesses, a brand-new Shop Front Grant Scheme was also launched at the forum.   

The scheme’s aim is to improve the character and vibrancy, and overall experience for visitors and shoppers, by encouraging physical improvements to independent business shop fronts in key parts of the town centre.  

Grants will cover up to 75% of eligible costs, up to a maximum grant of £10,000 for standard shop fronts and £20,000 for double-fronted premises (subject to assessment).  

The grant is match-funded and the business or property owner must contribute at least 25% of the total project cost. 

For more information about any of the town centre regeneration, visit www.oldham.gov.uk/regen