Oldham market traders fear moving process is pitting them against each other

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A huge change is on the horizon for Oldham’s Tommyfield Market. Traders are currently figuring out how they’ll be moving to a brand new market hall due to be completed at the Spindles shopping centre next year, with the old market set to be demolished at the same time.

The project is supposed to mark a turning point for Tommyfield’s small business owners, many of whom have seen several decades pass by framed through their densely-hung stall fronts.

In recent years, what they’ve seen is footfall taking a nose-dive - especially since the Covid-19 lockdowns. Up until recently, hopes in the hall were high regarding the move.

But a recent set of decisions has put a damper on the prospect of Oldham market’s modern revival. “It feels like we’ve been s**t on,” said the owner of a pet stall. “Our hopes have been dashed.” The shift in feeling is a response to the recent results of an application process that many stall holders have spent several months preparing for.