Oldham Council 15 July 2015

Shaw and Crompton Councillors have been hearing recently from Market Traders that Oldham Council has had another change of heart about the relocation of Shaw Market.

Like its namesake, the children’s party game Musical Chairs, this seems to becoming a tale of Musical Markets.

At first this Administration wanted to move the Market onto the South side of Market Street that joins High Street, then the North side of Market Street adjoining Rochdale Road.

Now there are rumours that the Market will after all remain on its historic site until some un- specified time next year (2016).

Will the Leader confirm or deny whether Shaw Market is to move?

And if so where and when?

Or will he hold his hands up and admit – as I hope he will – that the Market can remain at its current location as per the wishes of local Councillors, the local community, market traders, high street shop keepers, the Police, and two of the largest employers in the Borough (Littlewoods and JD Williams).

And will he also agree to invest the money that that has clearly been budgeted for this year (2015/16) to revitalise Shaw Market by replacing the fixed market stalls with pop-up stalls.

This solution will not only remove the shelter that attracts youths intent on anti-social behaviour but also provide more car-parking on non-Market Days, therefore contributing to the general vitality of Shaw’s District Centre.

After all the above solution is what local Councillors along with key agencies like the Police have been asking and campaigning for more years than I care to remember.