The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has expressed his bitter disappointment on hearing today’s news that Marks and Spencer has pulled out of Oldham’s Princes Gate Development.
Commenting he said: “Following on from the euphoria generated by the recent opening of our new town hall cinema complex this news is of course disappointing but it is also unsurprising given the recent poor financial results and store closures announced by Marks and Spencer.”
“We must all hope that at some point in the future Marks and Spencer will be able to take up retail space in our town, but for now the Council’s focus must be on securing a new prime tenant for the Prince’s Gate site, and soon, if this is to remain a ‘game changing’ development for our Borough.”
“If this is not done quickly the Council will have just created an empty development site that will be an eyesore on one of the main gateways into Oldham’s Town Centre.”
NEXT would be a good replacement or even a co-business with M&S Food. The standard is similar and would draw a younger section of the borough and beyond. Sad though, M&S have let their standards drop in clothing, resulting in their current situation. Its excellent for food though so Im sure they would get the footfall.
M&S could include other facets of their businss in the site.
Good suggestion NEXT was in the development but they pulled out 18 months ago I understand.
How many other major players have already dropped out? and how many will follow now that Marks and Spencer have gone? I fear Princes Gate is another white elephant that will cost the rate payers dearly.
All I see in oldham is chicks pushing prams to the job centre to collect the dole money.
Oldham is broken and the most deprived town in the UK.
It sounds like M&S has seen sense such as Next did over 18 Months ago.
Oldham only need pound shops, not high end retailers.