Local Shaw and Crompton Lib Dem Councillors Howard Sykes MBE and Diane Williamson recently handed in a 350 plus name petition about Oldham Council’s plans for Shaw Market.
At first Labour wanted to move the Market onto the South side of Market Street that joins High Street. Now they want to move it to the North side of Market Street adjoining Rochdale Road.
“The latest news is that the Labour Council will press ahead with its plans, with the Market moving permanently,” stated Councillor Howard Sykes. “We expect them to formally confirm this at the Licensing Panel on 2 November.”
Local councillors are campaigning to leave the Market where it is. They want to see Shaw Market stay on its present site with investment to bring farmers markets and Christmas markets to the area as well. Leaving the Market where it is also makes additional market days possible including the various charity events as well as more specialised markets.
“We want to see the cash Labour has allocated for the move spent instead on revitalising Shaw Market on its existing site by replacing the fixed market stalls with pop-up stalls on Market Day (Thursday) and removing the perimeter units,” stated Cllr Williamson.
“This solution will not only remove the shelter that attracts youths intent on anti-social behaviour but also provide more free car-parking on non-Market Days, therefore contributing to the general vitality of Shaw’s District Centre,” said Councillor Sykes.
“We are not surprized the new venue appears to be popular. The Council has thrown the kitchen sink at this with free events, promotions, advertising, questionnaires and staff. It just shows what can be done. If the same amount of effort was made to promote the existing site I am sure that would have been successful. Remember the ‘staying put’ option was refused to be included in the consultation. You have to ask why?” he added.
“We shall see what happens in the longer term when all this existing ‘excitement’ has evaporated,” stated Councillor Williamson. “Also the Council needs to come clean on its plans for the ‘old market site’ if it presses ahead with its plans.”
“In addition our proposal also prevents potential traffic problems that can happen when Market Street is closed forcing all vehicles, including HGVs and buses, to use Eastway,” added Councillor Williamson.
Councillors Sykes and Williamson handing in their petition
I agree with everything you say and really look forward to knowing what the site will be used for as with the land from the Baths demolition. We really don’t need more car parks.
The council have probably sold existing land already and as you say it may work for a few weeks but eventually close like Tommy-field that might as well close x market trader
Shaw has turned into a retail site near enough not enough leisure activities to bring interest just people commuting for asda and aldi if you pop in to shaw it’s for the charity shops not much else to do markets crap if I’m honest high prices for cheap tat needs more variety and cheap prices like aat let should be maybe a mixture of new and second hand or stalls with catologue seconds royton does alright why not take some tips from there remember oldham market woul bring people from every where cause they could get a bargain that’s the point isn’t it to many greedy rich fat cats now no room for being committed to local traders as prices are too high due to them being so quiet shaw is now really shit sorry but true too many takeaways ruined business long time ago no baths all we got is library in entertainment terms ?no one with power really gives a shit lost cause with no support top and bottom oh by the way shaw bath s shut because it was full of asbestos which has been brushed under the carpet and hushed by the council who can’t wait to turn shaw into a money making retail park for their own end s ps is anyone gonna pay repair bill on my car through commuting through shaw behind the endless yodel little woods wagons absolute joke feel let down wish I would have moved when I was younger then wouldn’t have to watch it turn to ruin !!!
Agree we need a much better mix of activities to bring/keep people in Shaw.
I along with my colleagues work at this objective all the time.