Oldham’s Saturday outdoor market is getting a new home on George Square – as the transformation of the town centre continues.
The Saturday market, which currently operates at the rear of Tommyfield Market Hall, will move to the new site at the side of the redeveloped Spindles.
Oldham Council has been working in partnership with stallholders.
Design work is now underway to accommodate the move for the Saturday Market – this will also create a new outdoor space for the town centre when the market is not trading. Engagement with traders will continue as the plans develop.
Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “George Square is a fantastic location for our much-loved Saturday outdoor market – close to both the high street and Spindles, the bus station, car parks and Metrolink stops.
“It will bring new life to this part of the town centre and will perfectly complement our redeveloped Spindles including our new market which is due to open next spring.
“Oldham is a market town – it’s a key part of our history – and I’m really proud our markets continue to play an important role in our future.”
The Saturday outdoor market attracts visitors from across the north and is well known for its many stalls selling Asian products and fabrics, food and household goods.
The council won’t move the Saturday market until the new space is ready with initial timescales expected to be late 2025.
Stalls will be positioned throughout George Square – the garden area between Spindles and the police station – running down to the top of George Street, which is home to many independent businesses.
Zubair Hussain, an outdoor market trader representative, said: “Our new location looks very promising, and we look forward to continuing to work with the council to develop the plans, and making the project the best it can be.
“Oldham outdoor market is a vibrant and diverse place, offering fantastic products at great prices.
“This is a new era for Oldham’s markets, and I wish all traders – indoor and outdoor – the best of luck in their new locations.”
The other weekly outdoor markets will also relocate, with options being looked at around a more vibrant street market as well as the George Square location.
And recently another crucial milestone was announced.
A demolition notification has been submitted for the Tommyfield Market building, paving the way for the brand new indoor market in the reborn Spindles Shopping Centre and a five-acre park in the town centre.
The new market will benefit traders, who will enjoy a more visible presence, increased footfall, plus access to the adjacent car parks and nearby public transport stops.
The new market will stretch from Town Square, through the former TJ Hughes unit and extend into Parliament Square.
Councillor Shah added: “When our new state-of-the-art venue opens next Spring, it will be at the heart of the rejuvenated Spindles and will safeguard our market for generations to come.
“There will be a few people who will be sad to see the market hall demolished but let’s be honest it is now well past its prime and was letting down our fantastic traders.
“We’ve kept traders up to date with all our plans as our aim has always been to help boost their businesses.”
Once traders are in their new locations, the current site will be redeveloped as part of a brand new five-acre town centre park, with demolition likely to take place next summer.
Residents and visitors are already enjoying the first phase of the park which opened by Rock Street earlier this year.
The park will sit at the heart of our new neighbourhood of up to 2,000 new homes which Oldham Council is developing with national placemaker Muse.
The partnership will transform a series of council-owned brownfield sites across the town centre including the Civic Centre, former Oldham Magistrates Court and former Oldham Leisure Centre.
