New Year, New Move for Tommyfield Market
Tommyfield Market traders have requested to move into the new market, located in the revamped Spindles, in the new year.
The move means stallholders will continue trading through the busy Christmas season, which is the most important time of year for many and then make the transition over during the quieter new year period.
Traders were keen to ensure that everyone can move into the new space as one, keeping the market family together, and to give businesses the time they need to fit out their new stalls.
Traders have said this approach will work much better for them, as some have complex fit out requirements which puts pressure on the move, plus it means they can all move together at the same time.
Ray Aslam, Chair of the Traders’ Association, said:
“Christmas is the busiest time of year for most of us and moving before then isn’t ideal, especially as some traders have challenging fit-out requirements that take longer to complete. We wanted to make sure no one was left behind so waiting until the new year means we can all move together and make a real fresh start.”
Mark Crossley, from Crossley’s Fish, said:
“Christmas is our busiest time of year, so this plan works best for us. It means we can look after our regular customers right through December, and in the meantime, take the time to set up our new stall properly. When we open in the new year, we’ll be ready to hit the ground running.”
Mary Eleftheriou from Mary’s Bedding and Towels, added:
“We’re excited about the move and about the future of the new market – I keep saying to my customers, it’s my new adventure. The new space will give us all a positive boost and we’ll be right in the thick of it. The important thing is that we do it together. That’s what makes the market special.”
Tommyfield Market remains open right through Christmas. Traders are here, ready and waiting to serve you, and we’d encourage everyone to keep shopping local and supporting us in the run-up to the new year.
Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said:
“Work to prepare the new market is moving at pace, with traders busy fitting out their stalls and adding their own personal specifications.
“The move will bring together the wide variety of stalls currently at Tommyfield Market into a modern space at the heart of the town centre. A fresh, fit-for-purpose market that keeps Oldham’s proud market tradition at its heart.
“We’ve been working with our traders on this for months, and we’ve listened to what they have to say and are supporting their decision to move in the new year. After listening to traders it was clear that keeping the market open during the Christmas period was vital, both for traders and for residents who rely on them.
We encourage residents to continue shopping local this Christmas and support the hard-working traders. We will have an exciting events programme to celebrate the Christmas season, there will also be a Santa’s Grotto in the market over the winter period giving even more reason to shop local.
As excitement builds for the move, residents can also look forward to Nostalgic Oldham on Saturday 27 September, 11am to 4pm, which will bring live performers, street acts, a classic car show and much more to the town centre.
Tommyfield Market will be hosting singer Kelly (Bring Me Sunshine) to perform classic nostalgic hits near the Market Salon at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm. Families can also enjoy ViQ’s face painting and balloon modelling from 10.30am to 3.30pm – making it the perfect opportunity to shop local and soak up the atmosphere.
Check out the full line-up of activities and acts across the day at:
For more information about the wider Building a Better Oldham programme, visit: www.oldham.gov.uk/regen
