Spindles Consultation - March 2021 - Oldham Council
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Spindles Consultation March 2021 Report by Oldham Council, Research Engagement and Consultation team. Contact REC@Oldham.gov.uk
Contents Executive Summary ......................................................................................................3 Background ..................................................................................................................4 Section One: Respondent Summary ............................................................................5 Section Two: Town Centre ........................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Section Three: Spindles Shopping Centre ....................................................................9 Section Four: Tommyfield Market ...............................................................................18 Consultation Evaluation ..............................................................................................32 Appendices .................................................................................................................33 Page 2 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021
Executive Summary The survey opened for a four-week period gathered the views of 2027 people who live, work or visit Oldham. A further 400 contributed via official Oldham Council Social media channels The BAME population are underrepresented in the response. This is reflected in the lower proportions of responses from the Coldhurst, St Mary’s, Alexandra and Werneth wards 90% respondents use the town centre, 83% Spindles and 56% Tommyfield Respondents cited the poor retail offer (including empty units), poor environment and parking as key barriers to their attendance at all sites. Respondents acknowledged the impact of Coronavirus on changing habits with an increase in online shopping. There was a strong feeling that Oldham Council must seriously consider diversifying the town centre offer to include a stronger leisure offer Ideas including a stronger retail offer including more independent traders, improved facilities for children and young people, space to hold community engagement activities and a food hall Respondents reported the use of alternative locations such as Rochdale, Ashton, Bury, Manchester and the Trafford Centre. These offered preferable alternatives and access was made easier by both the Metrolink and M60 ring roads For users of Tommyfield Market there was a strong preference for the indoor market with respondents stating the positive nature of the customer service offered, the range of fresh quality produce, the variety on offer and ultimately the affordability of the products on offer. For those who do not use Tommyfield, respondents reflected on the lack of variety and quality of products available, the perceived unwelcoming atmosphere and the preference to travel to use local markets or to travel to destination markets such as Bury, Manchester Arndale or Altrincham. When asked for ways to improve Tommyfield Market when relocated into Spindles, the responses echoed that of the same question for Spindles e.g. better quality and variety of stalls, independent traders, improved food offer. Participants felt that the market should aim to appeal to a wide audience. Two thirds of market traders stated their belief that the indoor and outdoor markets should continue to be within proximity to each other Traders felt that maintaining the current stall and unit arrangement had many benefits over proposed changes like those used in Blackburn and Ashton markets Page 3 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021
Background
In October 2020, Oldham Council purchased Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre. By
investing in the centre, Oldham Council believe it will be able to safeguard its future, support
town centre regeneration and help Oldham’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
The consultation and wider purchase/development of the Spindles Shopping Centre has
attracted significant interest across both social and traditional media. A supplementary full
analysis will be made available soon. Some of the key themes evident include:
• Disagreement with the original purchase
• Feelings that the consultation is tokenistic/predetermined
• Misunderstanding of the differing budgets i.e. Capital Investment pot
• Support for the development and positivity around Oldham
About this report
This report focusses on the 2027 responses received via the Community Consultation1. All
reporting is based on known responses and any cross tabulation based on respondents
agreeing to the use of their data in this way (470) Any totals exceeding 100% or total
respondents relate to questions with multiple response permitted.
The report will be divided into six sections
1. Respondent Summary
2. Oldham Town Centre
3. Spindles Shopping Centre
4. Tommyfield Market
5. Consultation evaluation
6. Mitigation
Methodology
An online survey was posted online. This was heavily promoted across social media. An
evaluation of the campaign around this research will be produced separately.
A separate survey was sent directly to ninety Market Traders to request their views around
the relocation of Tommyfield Market. These finding can be found in section four of this report.
1 Although all quantitative tables and figures will be based on final figures, the sheer volume of
responses and quick turnaround time mean not all qualitative responses are included in the report. It is
anticipated that new themes will emerge.
Page 4 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Section One: Respondent Summary
Respondent Location
Saddleworth, St James' and Waterhead
28%
(229)
Royton, Shaw and Crompton (155) 19%
Coldhurst, St Mary's and Alexandra (138) 17%
Chadderton and Werneth (134) 17%
Failsworth, Hollinwood and Medlock Vale
14%
(110)
Other GM Authority (36) 4%
Other Local Authority (7) 1%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%
Figure 1: Respondent location
Figure 2: Respondent Age Profile
Page 5 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Figure 3: Respondent Gender profile Figure 4: Respondent Ethnic profile Page 6 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021
Section Two: Town Centre
Do you use Oldham Town Centre
100% 88%
80%
60%
40%
20% 12%
0%
Yes (1771) No (251)
Figure 5: Oldham Town Centre use. Source Q1 Do you visit Oldham Town Centre? (n2027)
Figure five shows that nearly 9 in 10 respondents use Oldham Town centre. For those
who stated that they did use the town centre almost half reflected on the poor retail offer
with a fifth further stating about the number of empty units (Figure six)
Figure 6: Reasons not to visit town centre
The shops on offer are generally very poor quality and I find the whole
experience very depressing. I’m old enough to remember spindles as a
Page 7 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021vibrant shopping centre and the site of so many closed premises and cheap
shops is awful
Approximately a quarter stated that poor environment was a clear deterrent to them visiting
the town centre. Respondents cited the growing presence of youths, charity workers and a
feeling of fear when entering the centre.
Respondents stated that they would rather travel to other local and regional centres.
Examples included Ashton under Lyne, Bury, Manchester and the Trafford Centre
Mediocre shopping centre, since the completion of M60 better shopping
centres are easily accessible.
Reasons for using Oldham Town Centre
Figure seven illustrates that the primary reason to visit the town centre was retail although it is
also apparent that leisure and work or also prominent reasons.
Figure 7: Reasons for using Oldham Town Centre
Page 8 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Section Three: Spindles Shopping Centre
Use Spindles
90% 83%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20% 17%
10%
0%
Yes (1678) No (339)
Figure 8: Use of Spindles Shopping Centre
Figure eight shows that nearly one in five respondents do not use Spindles Shopping centre.
Spindles Shopping Centre: Perceived positives
It's a part of the Oldham Heritage. I love going shopping in our Spindles
shopping centre. It has got most facilities under one roof. It is a strong part
of our community. We'd love for the Spindles shopping centre to develop
and flourish in our community.
1895 participants choose to respond to this question. Figure nine summarises the key
appealing factors highlighted by participants
Figure 9: Perceived positives
Page 9 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Most commonly respondents commented positive on the design of Spindles, particularly its
bright open design and numerous examples of the Brian Clark designed stained glass dome.
Nine respondents claiming that Spindles has a large amount of potential
I think the space could have great potential and could be used innovatively
but I do believe that it will take hard work and a lot of thought and research,
and I would really ask that you take time to visit successful retailers and
high streets around Greater Manchester to see how they've made it work.
One in five respondents indicated that convenience was a key factor towards their positive
attitude towards Spindles both in terms of its central location (and proximity to public
transport) but also as a place to visit whilst working in the town centre.
Central location with good car parking (and public transport as well),
accessible to everything in the town centre - businesses, services, other
shops, not like out of town shopping centres. It supports the whole town
centre, a hub for people to move around from
Respondents praised the cleanliness of the building (n80) and its accessibility including to
toilets and for those with a disability
Ground floor access with toilets. As a pensioner with health problems easy
access to the ground floor toilet is crucial. It is a clean place to visit. I
suggest moving shops down while keeping the upper level for offices. A '
patchwork ' of some shops upstairs and some down is unappealing.
Page 10 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021One in five respondents praised the quality and range of shops available. Inevitably there
were numerous comments (71) regarding the closure of Debenhams and the impact of this on
luring visitors to the centre. Table two summarises the other notable mentions of retail outlets
Count % Total
Debenhams 71 30%
Boots 33 14%
Waterstones 22 9%
River Island 21 9%
Next 20 9%
H&M 12 5%
Rhode Island 11 5%
Costa 8 3%
B&M 8 3%
The Works 7 3%
Clarks 5 2%
Primark 4 2%
Thornton’s 3 1%
Greggs 2 1%
JD Sports 2 1%
WH Smith 2 1%
H Samuel 1 0%
Trespass 1 0%
Body Care 1 0%
Table 1: Notable retail presence
Spindles: Perceived Negatives
Everything about Spindles that is dislikeable is characterised by the number
of larger businesses that are getting out, and by the number of different
types of small businesses that are springing up for a section of the
population. In some ways those small businesses are vibrant, so leave
Oldham centre and Spindles to continue evolving along the lines that it is
doing and do not try to change things as that will not succeed and will be a
waste of public money.
Over 1900 respondents told us the thing or things that they dislike about the Spindles
shopping centre. Figure 10 below illustrates some of the key emerging issues
Page 11 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Figure 10: Spindles perceived negatives
Lack of good shops/Activity
Two-thirds of the comments received in response to the question of what people dislike about
Spindles related to the lack of a good, varied shopping experiences, although with a lack of
other activities going on in the centre. Many comments described how the empty lots in the
centre and the shops that have left have contributed to a dislike of the centre in general. A
selection of the comments to this effect can be found below:
“The lack of shops and variety of shops. The shops that are still there are
mainly low budget stores, or phone shops. Nowhere to look around It used
to be a very busy place with loads of shops. Somewhere you wanted to
shop. Now I only shop in Oldham if I need something quick/desperate, as
the choice is just not there, especially now Debenhams has closed.
Rochdale now has a clean open shopping area, which links into the other
shopping areas meaning there is more variety. I know some of the issue is
down to the high street struggling”
“There are too many empty or temporary shops, not enough variety of
shops and shops are too small to have a good variety of stock. Lack of
places to buy good quality items, especially ladies’ shoes. I don't think I
would bother visiting for shopping without a decent department store.”
The general atmosphere.
18% of the responses to this question related to a dislike of the general atmosphere of
Spindles. While there were many facets to these responses a number regarded the empty
lots and the ‘dated’ architecture as contributing to a feeling that the centre has become ‘tired’
and ‘soulless’. There was also a feeling that the centre gave of an ‘unfriendly’ and
‘intimidating’ vibe. A selection of the comments that fall into this bracket can be found below:
Page 12 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021“The shopping centre feels a little tired and is stuck in the 1990s. The
exterior and interior need to be modernised to bring it into the 21st century
e.g. more glass, removal of the naff stain coloured glass roof, etc.”
“Very very quiet on the upper mall. Spindles doesn’t feel like a destination.
Primark is the destination for many. There is no shopping experience in
spindles. It’s very fragmented. A shop here, an empty shop there. It’s really
sad to see no life or buzz in the centre.”
Layout/Facilities/Lack of accessibility
10% of respondents had a dislike of Spindles related to the lack of well-maintained facilities in
place or the lack of accessibility presented by the layout of the centre. A number complained
that the centre presented a challenge to those with prams and that the lifts in the centre were
not adequate to solve this challenge, while others felt the layout of the centre was confusing
and could be better signposted. A small number also stated they believed the centre would be
improved by the addition of a prayer room. Below are several comments that fall within this
theme.
“Difficult to navigate escalators/steps with buggy/ wheelchair. Lifts are
small and hidden”
“Rabbit warren - get lost with the layout. empty voids. lacks disability
friendly access routes”
“The lay out can be confusing to navigate, may be difficult for those
with mobility issues”
Parking facilities
A small minority of people stated one of the things they disliked about Spindles Town Centre
Shopping Centre was the lack of appropriate parking facilities. Among these responses were
those stating that they shouldn’t have to pay for parking, while others said that the parking
offered was too ‘difficult’. A selection of comments relating to the theme of parking can be
found below:
“Car parking prices. Difficult travelling access to Town Square Shopping
Centre as you have to go all round the Town Centre and through a variety
of back streets to access it”
“PARKING "must" be free, to attract me back (after Covid) and new
customers.”
“It’s appearance is very dated, car parking at the town square side is tight
and dark and in the last few years a move of shops leaving a limited
selection of shops”
Page 13 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021“I object to paying to park and so park down at Sainsburys and walk up. It
is easier to shop in Rochdale and use their free car parking. It is easier to
shop in Ashton and park at Marks and Spencer’s. I dislike the long walk
carrying parcels to the Post Office in W.H. Smiths - old people must really
struggle.”
What would you like to see at Spindles Shopping Centre in the future?
‘Given the centre's reliance on retail outlets, its days as a commercial
shopping centre are numbered as people's purchasing habits are
switching online. The place is too like other town centre shopping
malls. The place should be a cultural hub for people from all cultures
in the borough can share their ideas/projects. Nothing happens there
but shopping and that won't happen for very much longer.
“For the Spindles to be a success, it needs to dramatically increase
‘footfall’, to give people who may not go there, a positive reason to do
so. Increasing the use of the Spindles and diversifying it, is more
likely to create a reason for people from the Borough to visit, which
would not otherwise exist. Young people, and those older ones, who
do not have transport, would find the location much closer to the bus
station, easier to access than the OCL Sports Centre, which is a little
isolated and the walk down and up far more exposed to the
elements!”
Figure 11: Key themes of what respondents would like to see in Spindles
Page 14 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Most respondents (47%) mentioned shops/services when asked what they would like to see
at Spindles Shopping Centre in future. 21% of participants mentioned the keywords
‘variety/quality/range/mixture’, 20% spoke about ‘unique/independent/local/artisan/craft’, and
8% commented on the need for ‘open/occupied/full/filled/not empty’ units. Further ideas can
be found in table two.
• ‘Something unique to the area. Independent shops rather than the usual carbon
copy shops’
• ‘More variety of shops, better clothes shops that cater for all’
• ‘More 'artisan' and unusual shops - pop up shops etc.’
The general feel/facilities/accessibility/safety of the Spindles Shopping Centre featured as a
second major theme in responses (21%). 8% of respondents mentioned the keywords
‘bright/light/green/sitting/seating’ in relation to the general feel of the Spindles Shopping Centre.
10% spoke about ‘thriving/modern/life/vibrant/life/people’ and 6% mentioned
‘community/inclusive/safe/accessible’.
• ‘Brighter spaces, more choice, areas for socialising’
• ‘A clean and disabled friendly environment - also autistic friendly’
• ‘The place also needs to be and feel safe to browse, shop and dine and park’
Food & drink/restaurants/cafes featured in 20% of responses. 5% of participants mentioned the
keywords ‘food hall/food court’.
• ‘More food offerings from independent businesses, like they have on Altrincham
Market or at Mackie Mayors in Manchester or Radcliffe Market. Some nice
independent bars, like the one currently on the Tommyfield Market. A micro-
brewery with Tap room type offering’
• ‘Maybe a food court? On the upper mall. Gather all the eateries upstairs as a
destination’
10% of respondents spoke about leisure/play areas/community events.
• ‘Could some space go to an arts/music venture of some sort - a small cinema,
commercial as well as a bit different’
• ‘Leisure is the way forward. Maybe a pool with slides, a huge and exciting soft
play, climbing walls, tenpin bowling, laser tag or an adventure playground’
A small number of respondents (3%) mentioned housing/offices/businesses.
• ‘Made into housing’
• ‘Perhaps small business units or independent retail with subsidised rent, a small
business incubator’
Page 15 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Theme Comments
Leisure and • for exhibitions and pop up galleries and pop up shops. Space for
art musical events. Refurbished toilets. Seating.’
• ‘Local Art by Local People displayed on seasonal displays Local
Monthly Musical Performances on a public stage Local Monthly
Brass Band Performances Local Monthly Celebrity Celebrations
• Local Monthly Poetry Local Monthly Musical Choir performances
• reading corners, creative ideas, something different’
• Leisure is the way forward. Maybe a pool with slides, a huge and
exciting soft play, climbing walls, tenpin bowling, laser tag or an
adventure playground.’
• ‘A leisure area or special units for community classes, e.g. yoga,
kids’ entertainment.’
• Some of the space could be used by OCL to run classes such as
Line Dancing, Zumba, Pilates, Irish Dancing, yoga and other
activities which are currently being held in the Sports Hall. They
could even perhaps run youth activities for after school and a variety
of other areas that OCL like to get involved in. The Sports Hall
would then be free for sporting activities. There may even be a
potential to have a couple of 5 a side pitches, which given the rules,
do not need a massive head clearance.
Community ‘community engagement, vibrancy and colours, active involvement and
Engagement promotion of cultural and diversity events
Local Monthly demonstrations e.g. Police, Fire Service, Ambulance
Service, Oldham Mountain Rescue, Social Services, Sports, local business,
schools
Children Maybe small events like pancake race or kids’ events in the holidays. I think
and families Sheffield made a beach. Brilliant.’
‘Play centre for young children to visit, nice safe area for the older
generation to have a cup of tea safely.
Something for the teenage age, but I'm not sure - ask the youngsters in
senior schools and colleges what they would like. Maybe they could visit
after college as well as lunch?’
‘Learning space for children. Forrest school area, holistic play, allotments,
food banks, , clothes banks, recycle furniture centre, advise point, ad hoc
training courses, library section - teaching the people essential Skills’
Local Monthly Competitions Local Monthly Community Games /
Videogames / Sports Competitions Local Monthly Cultural Celebrations
Local Monthly Beer Whisky Wine Festivals Local Monthly Seasonal
presentations, like Spring, Easter, Summer, Halloween, Autumn,
Christmas, Winter celebrations.’
Page 16 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Food and ‘Independent retail and sellers more diverse food that caters for a wide
Drink range of dietary requirements. Events and activities in and around- like the
festival of light. A 'food hall' like Altrincham would be amazing.’
‘More independent retailers. A market with a good variety of stalls including
a food hall with produce from local suppliers.’
Table 2: Ideas for Spindles
Page 17 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Section Four: Tommyfield Market
“Markets are the backbone of the North. Plenty of variety at affordable prices.
Everyone loves a bargain and the community feels at home with familiar faces.”
The following section focusses on responses from both the Spindles community survey and
43 responses from Market traders (47% response) Figure 12 shows that only around 60%
respondents use Tommyfield
Figure 12: Tommyfield Market usage
Over a thousand respondents the thing or things that they like about Tommyfield market.
Key themes emerging included:
• The personal customer service and expertise offered by stall holders
• The sense of supporting local business by buying local
• The variety and range of products and fresh produce
• The accessibility and quality of location (i.e. keep dry and close to bus station)
• The affordability of products
• The history and tradition of the market
• A preference for the indoor market
Page 18 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Reasons for not using Tommyfield Market
Figure 13: Reasons for not using Tommyfield Market
As can be seen in figure 13, when asked why they don’t use Tommyfield Market, over half
responded that they felt there was, either, a lack of variety in what was on offer or the
standard of product on offer was not of the value and quality so as to attract them to the
market. A selection of these can be found below:
“To many fabric stalls and not a general market. I've lived in Oldham
all my life and you have spoilt it with too many fabric stall and cheap
clothing stalls indoors. Needs a revamp”
“It doesn't offer the products I look for It isn't a pleasant location or
shopping experience It feels cheap and less safe than a shopping
centre would do”
“Very little of quality on offer and definitely nothing worth making the
trip into the town centre for. I would visit if there was a really high-
quality butcher or fish stall.”
“Very Tacky, May be a better idea moving the market into Spindles
(?Debenhams) so everything’s under one roof. Would benefit from
nice street food stalls, cheese stalls, stalls that do personalised gifts.
After living in London, food and clothes markets change with times
and Oldham seems to be very slow at doing this”
Page 19 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Was better in the past
A significant minority of the responses to this question came from people who felt the
market was not as good as it had been in the past, and that this was one of the
reasons they didn’t use it. Several of the comments to this effect can be found below:
“Doesn't feel like a market anymore. Lost all its appeal and many of
its decent units”
“It doesn't appeal to me in the same way it did historically. The
outdoor market used to be a thriving bustling place of independent
stalls selling all sorts of things but has become more of a flea market.
I do use the inside market at times as there are some nice
independent food stalls (cheeses, meats, muffins etc;).”
“Because I remember the Tommy field market from how it used to be
open 6 days a week and packed every day with shoppers and stalls. I
never shopped anywhere else as you could buy everything and
anything on there. Oldham council allowed the demise of
Tommyfield”
Feels unwelcoming and under-maintained
14% of the responses to this came from people who felt that the market was
uninviting as a place to shop and had been allowed to become outdated and
undermaintained. Several the comments that fell into this theme also felt the market
had been allowed to become ‘scruffy’ and ‘dirty’. Some of the comments that
contained this theme can be found below:
“It’s dirty and scruffy and no longer a market of repute like Bury
market which is famous for its great fish market, great fresh produce,
clothing and homewares.
“It doesn’t look very pleasant I have drove past it and it looks quite
dirty and like none of the shops would satisfy or even interest me, I’ve
never known anyone to go there.”
“It’s a first-class dump - it smells, it feels unsafe, the stalls aren’t
particularly friendly,”
Page 20 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Prefers other shopping experiences
14% of the comments received contained sentiments from people who preferred to
shop elsewhere – within this theme people stated that they preferred everything from
shopping online to other markets they preferred, to getting all of their shopping from
supermarkets. Some of the comments along these lines can be found below.
“I work so is the market open at weekends? if its is can’t think of
anything that I'd want from there that I can’t get in Rochdale (where I
work in the week) or online”
“Tend to buy most products on offer at supermarket. Would impulse
buy at market if it was closer to the rest of the town centre.”
“If I was to need a market, I would go to bury. There is choicer and
more all-round nicer environment”
“On a very rare occasion but feel the standard of quality is very low
compared to the Arndale in Manchester for example or Altrincham.”
Improving Tommyfield Market
Q10 - What would you like to see within Tommyfield Market
40%
when it relocates into Spindles Town Square Shopping
37%
Centre?
35%
30%
25%
20% 19%
16%
15% 14%
10% 9%
6%
5%
0%
Wider variety of quality products generally More varied food offer Crafts/arts/leisure activities
Figure 14: Ideas to improve Tommyfield Market
Page 21 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Wider variety of quality products
Figure 14 shows that over a third of responses to the question of what people would
like to see in Tommyfield Market after the relocation into Spindles included a feeling
that there should be a wider range of quality products. A selection of comments to this
effect can be found below:
“More shoe stalls, butchers, fresh food, cakes, hardware, the jacket
potato stall and bakery.”
“independent businesses that sell a variety of products including
things that can be personalised”
“a good variety of stall selling items not easily obtainable in the larger
stores.”
“I would like to see different things to what is available now that are
affordable i.e. clothes, foods of the world, food court, information unit
that can signpost people to services. I’d like a Wilkos more seating.”
Local/independent produce/traders
19% of the responses included a feeling that the market should be open to local and
independent businesses and traders, with a focus on selling locally made products
and local produce. A significant minority stated that they believed those traders
currently in the market should be a part of the move and should be offered the support
needed in order to be able to keep their stalls after the move into the new location.
Several of the comments from within this theme can be found below:
“Local people selling local produce - traditional foods that are fast
disappearing with supermarkets. Independent traders selling more
unique goods (jewellery/ vintage/housewares)”
“fresh local farm products Local craft stalls Home stores Good quality
meat package”
“Retaining the choices available and the local produce on offer.
Keeping those relationships with stall holders”.
“Same local offer (and support for those local traders) A sense of this
being the core offer - not have the market stalls hidden in quieter
areas or feeling second rate compared to other shops”
“Local produce, food market like Altrincham, quality local produced
food, options to buy food and drink not cheap clothes or tat”
Page 22 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021More varied food offer
16% of the responses, as shown in figure 14, expressed that there should be a better,
more varied food and drink offer from the new market, and a number expressed the
belief that this would entice people into the market. Some of their comments can be
found below:
“Modern with a street food offer, e.g. like Radcliffe market or Mackie
Mayor in Manchester”
“Different levels of the market with fresh fish, chicken, meat, veg, bakery,
olive and condiment stalls on one level and other non-fresh products on a
different level. Cork City in Ireland has a good "English" market, with café
around the top level. I have not been, but Altrincham have revamped with
what looks like a really good market/eating area.”
“Independent retailers bakers cake makers wine makers. Cheese counters.
Street food from all continents. Vibrant food market. Indoor music sound
stage promotes the sensory side to shopping. Sound smell touch. The high
street is stale. Creating a vibe. Music art etc promote talent. Local talent…”
“Street food - like Arndale market as I feel Oldham lacks genuine places to
eat decent food More shops as empty space makes it look bad and I would
go to Manchester if it gets worse as no reason to visit”
“Less tat, more niche businesses, microbrewery pub, street food stalls like
Mackie mayor in Manchester”
It should be noted that a minority responded to the question by saying they were against the
relocation entirely and that the market should stay where it is.
Page 23 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Spindles Shopping Centre: Ideas for improvement.
Figure 15: Key themes of what respondents think would benefit the market
Most responses (39%) mentioned the general feel/facilities/accessibility/safety.
‘If you could make it a bit like Altringham markets where people go to
socialise and local people running the stalls’
‘Appeal to all generations and cultures’
‘Keep the free parking at weekends. Have fun days to attract visitors’
19% of participants spoke about improving shops/services.
‘More quality independent stores’
‘Improving the quality of the goods/services available to attract a
wider range of customers’
‘You need big names to open stores to bring people into Oldham
instead of bypassing and shopping in Manchester’
The third strongest theme (17%) was leisure/play areas/community events.
Page 24 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021‘Have more events for everyone. A safe place for everyone during in
the day and night’
‘Include temporary event spaces. More entertainment e.g. retro
arcades’
‘Leisure activities e.g. table tennis’
The Market trader view
47% of market traders asked to participate did so. The following section summarises this
response . Figure 16 shows that:
• Most commonly traders felt that customers would like to see a good variety of stalls
with reduced duplication.
• Traders repeated the importance of maintaining the feel of a traditional market
appealing to an expanded customer base. Traders felt that improved provision of
children and families and food and drink provision would support this.
• Traders told us that the stalls should be bigger and more appealing. Aisle should be
wider and therefor more accessible
Figure 16: Ways to encourage custom: Tommyfield Market traders
Page 25 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Figure 17 shows that most participants would like to see the new indoor market to be located close by the new outdoor market. Figure 17: Indoor/Outdoor proximity Units Management Figures 18 and 19 show that traders would like to adopt the current approach to units’ layouts and arrangement when the market relocates. Stall holders indicated a variety of reasons for their preference (table 3) Figure 18: Units layout Page 26 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021
Figure 19: Units arrangement Page 27 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021
Grid System Free Form
Easy to navigate (4) Easy to navigate (2)
Much easier for the customers to find their With grid systems ,people use main isles and
way round. central food isles ,but not many walk to the ends of
the grid or the winners of the outer grid ,unless one
Easy to find tour way around of their wanted items are there .but free form
makes people explore and enjoy the shopping
Easy to locate stalls experience more , plus gives traders a more equal
chance of doing some business.
Its easy people to find particular stall.
Stalls will be easier to locate by customers
Familiarity (2) Advantageous to Trader (1)
• Its what people are used to. free form makes people explore and enjoy the
• Traditionally this is how market shopping experience more , plus gives traders a
stalls were arranged, we have seen more equal chance of doing some business.
many markets rebuild but because
of the way they have been arranged
the project was not a success
Advantageous to Trader (2) Layout/Structure (1)
• As a stall holder it is much easier It gives a spacious appearance and seems to flow
and cost effective to fit out a better.
square or rectangular retail unit.
• It enables people to walk all round
the market rather than just going to
the one stall they want . Therefore,
they may shop with more traders .
Layout/Structure (3)
• It gives a structured approach But
the distance between stalls should
be same But this all depends
where it is made If it is made in
place of Tj Hughes then the stalls
on the wall and one row of stalls in
the middle will give more open plan
and visibility for all stalls
• Ease of passing
• Straight lines
Table 3: Units arrangement comments
Page 28 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Stall Management
Figure 20: Stall management
Figure 20 shows that again stall holders would like to continue with the current approach
of mixing stalls of different kinds rather than that of Ashton Market where stalls are zoned
by type. Table four shows that most commonly respondents feel that the current layout
encourages greater customer browsing and therefore encourages impulse spending.
Current market layout Like Ashton
Market
Encourage customer browsing (9) It creates more
• Because people will like to walk around and see all the different customer
selections movement
• Makes people walk around the market
• opportunity for increasing customer awareness of other services
and trades
• People can browse all around the market to see what’s on offer and
not go to one area then go out immediately
• People walk around the whole market bit just going to the one shop
they want
• Just for customers to get different views of the stalls
• Customers walk round all the Market and not just visit one section.
• More varied customer
• Give customer more choice to see other stall with different
products.
Encourage Impulse purchases (6) If people are
• The benefit is the impulse sales from your neighbour’s customers. shopping for
• Opportunist buying one type of
• because someone who is buying one thing may decide to buy goods, they
another totally different thing, rather than creating an environment should be
of increased competition between stalls together, as
• Supermarket strategy whereby they sometimes place items you'd this is more
expect to find in one area, in a totally different area. This makes the convenient.
potential customer must walk around the store, hopefully making
impulse purchases of things they didn't realise they needed.
• This way ,there will be a whole lot of varieties in the market....that
will bring in more customers.
Page 29 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021• It gives a greater opportunity to attract passing trade
Avoids Trader competition (3) It will be all for
• This each trader not clashing with each other. customers
• It all needs to be mixed for ALL the businesses to stand a chance convenience
• I recently left Ashton market after 30 years because the separation
system doesn’t work.
Food hall (2) So that
customers can
• Cafe society is an attractive feature and it should be explored if find products
eateries would perform better as a collective area. or two split areas they require
each side. easily.
• We found that people get there food stuff and leave rather than
walk around the whole building. So, to make a food hall separate to
other products is non productive
Table 4:Stalls comments
Figure 21: Opening days
Figure 22: Opening times
Page 30 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 20219am - 5pm It works well
(like the current indoor
market)
If you want to be a full shopping experience, you must open and
shut the same otherwise confusion .
Happy with the current times.
9 am 5pm traditional shopping hours and office hours
the standard, works for me
Our customers and ourselves are used to these times
Historic opening times that people expect.
It’s just the right time frame for shopping
Because they are the standard recognised shopping hours.
It is normal working time
Because most workers shops in evenings
It is very quiet after 4pm.
This is when customers expect Market to be open with traditional
opening times
These are national working hours and are convenient for most
people
Other The public no longer work 9 to 5 and want longer variety on
available shopping hours. More trading hours.
fresh produce traders may increase trade, if the centre is to
include council workers and more footfall proves to be in the area.
If you want to be a full shopping experience, you must open and
shut the same .otherwise confusion . (In line with spindles and
town square)
Because most workers shops in evenings (9am-6pm)
It is very quiet after 4pm. (9am-4pm)
Table 5:Opening times feedback
Page 31 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 20214. Consultation Evaluation
This Spindles Community Consultation has roused the interest of those live, work or visit the
town centre. The consultation has polarised the public of Oldham with a good deal of positive
constructive feedback alongside an undercurrent of negativity. The consultation has gathered
over 2000 responses and obtained significant reach via Oldham Council social media
channels with over 400 comments and a reach of over 82000. Some issues do exist though:
• Young People are under-represented in the survey
• BAME Population are under-represented in the survey
• A greater proportion of Market Traders could have taken part in the survey
• Such is the volume of social media engagement further research is required to fully
understand this impact
5. Mitigation
Who You are asking - How information Feedback Action proposed
Stakeholder Group e.g. is received e.g. via (if possible specific in
residents, businesses, questionnaire, focus details, including any response to
service users etc groups, letter, phone concerns about the feedback,
call, proposals) including any
email etc. proposals
for mitigation
Residents Social Media/Survey Clear that bad feeling Need to be
around the purchase clear that
and doubts about the points raised
“predetermined” nature have been
exist considered.
Market Traders Survey Around half of Market REC team to
traders did not organise one
participate in the or more
consultation community
discussions to
extract the
views of this
cohort
Young People Survey Young people are REC team to
under-represented in organise one
this consultation or more
community
discussions to
extract the
views of this
cohort
BAME Population Survey Young people are REC team to
under-represented in organise one
this consultation or more
community
discussions to
extract the
views of this
cohort
Page 32 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021Appendices Appendix One: Figures Figure 1: Respondent location ......................................................................................5 Figure 2: Respondent Age Profile.................................................................................5 Figure 3: Respondent Gender profile ...........................................................................6 Figure 4: Respondent Ethnic profile .............................................................................6 Figure 5: Oldham Town Centre use. ............................................................................7 Figure 6: Reasons not to visit town centre ....................................................................7 Figure 7: Reasons for using Oldham Town Centre .......................................................8 Figure 8: Use of Spindles Shopping Centre..................................................................9 Figure 9: Perceived positives........................................................................................9 Figure 10: Spindles perceived negatives ....................................................................12 Figure 11: Key themes of what respondents would like to see in Spindles ................14 Figure 12: Tommyfield Market usage .........................................................................18 Figure 13: Reasons for not using Tommyfield Market ................................................19 Figure 14: Ideas to improve Tommyfield Market .........................................................21 Figure 15: Key themes of what respondents think would benefit the market ..............24 Figure 16: Ways to encourage custom: Tommyfield Market traders ...........................25 Figure 17: Indoor/Outdoor proximity ...........................................................................26 Figure 18: Units layout ................................................................................................26 Figure 19: Units arrangement .....................................................................................27 Figure 20: Stall management......................................................................................29 Figure 21: Opening days ............................................................................................30 Figure 22: Opening times ...........................................................................................30 Appendix Two: Tables Table 1: Notable retail presence .................................................................................11 Table 2: Ideas for Spindles .........................................................................................17 Table 3: Units arrangement commentsStall Management ..........................................28 Table 4:Stalls comments ............................................................................................30 Table 5:Opening times feedback ................................................................................31 Page 33 of 33 Spindles Community Consultation: Phase 1 April 2021
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