Marks & Spencer to be part of new ‘gamechanger’ development in Oldham
The proposed new M&S clothing, home and food outlet for Oldham seen from the bottom of Yorkshire Street
Oldham Council has unveiled a ‘gamechanger’ masterplan for the town centre’s eastern gateway to bring new shops, housing and jobs – and is hoping to attract missing retail giants like Marks & Spencer (M&S).
The Prince’s Gate at Oldham Mumps development launched yesterday seeks to capitalise on Metrolink’s arrival and transform the area into a destination boasting a range of new opportunities for residents, visitors and business.
It aims to regenerate this gateway site, establish a quality town centre living offer, redevelop redundant land and attract key new retailers.
Overall it would deliver around 150,000 sq ft of extra retail space, up to 800 homes, including apartments, and approximately 700 car parking spaces.
Jim McMahon, Oldham Council Leader, said: “Prince’s Gate at Oldham Mumps is all about our aspirations for our future – it is a gamechanger for the new Oldham.”
The exciting plans are showcased in an animated 3D flyover which can be viewed online now at www.oldham.gov.uk/princesgate
As a key part of the retail aspect, discussions have been ongoing with M&S since Councillor McMahon first met them alongside senior council staff in 2011.
With talks over future plans well underway with the 130-year-old retailer, both parties are hoping to finalise an agreement shortly.
An M&S spokesperson said: “It is our intention to open a clothing, home and food store in the Prince’s Gate at Oldham Mumps development.”
“We hope to progress plans in the near future.”
The overall aerial view of the new Prince’s Gate at Oldham Mumps site
Councillor McMahon said: “We know that getting the right facilities in town is important to local people, because Oldhamers tell us this all the time.
“The interest of M&S is a massive vote of confidence in what we’re doing and potentially a fantastic early Christmas present for Oldham.
“Our eastern gateway is opening up as a major new opportunity and it’s vital we grasp this chance to make the most of our new Metrolink connection, attract new high street names, offer quality town centre living options, and preserve the historic Grade II-listed Nat West bank building for modern use.
“Prince’s Gate at Oldham Mumps will also complement our blossoming new Independent Quarter (between Yorkshire Street, Clegg Street and Union Street [East]) which will benefit as the natural link between this new development and the Old Town Hall ODEON cinema, Parliament Square and the Spindles/Town Square shopping centre.
“I hope people can now see, as with the action we’re taking to provide a town centre cinema and better sporting and heritage facilities, that we’re definitely ‘on with the job’.”
Oldham Council began developing a retail concept for the eastern gateway in 2013, but residential is now a major part of the final Prince’s Gate masterplan which could develop a new neighbourhood of up to 800 homes.
A significant number could be provided on the former Mumps station and rail line (owned by Transport for Greater Manchester [TfGM]) plus other plots in the area. The one-time NatWest bank building would also be refurbished for apartments, plus café/bars and leisure.
The focal point of Prince’s Gate at Oldham Mumps is a stunning glazed retail development where it is envisaged that M&S – with a new food and clothing store of 51,000 sq ft – could be anchor tenants. This will have a natural wave form roof, plus around 200 underground parking spaces, and a further 66,000 sq ft of retail space available.
The retail development will be built on the current Park and Ride site and the council has already agreed a landswap with TfGM for a replacement facility. This is proposed to be located on the opposite side of the road on land between Beaver Street and Wallshaw Street (with Kava, at 17-21 Mumps, unaffected). This would have the same car parking capacity.
Another new retail unit will also be provided on the RSPCA/Roscoe Mill site to the west of Prince Street where landowner negotiations and talks with a major supermarket tenant are ongoing. Above this 18,000 sq ft store there would be around 50 apartment units set across three storeys.
An independent economic analysis of the Prince’s Gate masterplan by AMION Consulting recently identified that it is expected to create more than 700 new jobs and could be worth up to £21 million per year to the local economy.
Councillor McMahon said: “This is a massive piece in the town centre regeneration jigsaw.”
“A range of property and commercial deals need to be negotiated but several are either already underway or complete and we’re publicly launching this vision now to further test the market interest in our retail and housing plans.
“This is one of the most ambitious redevelopments for Oldham town centre since the 1980s and will be developed in phases starting onsite in 2015. The next significant phase, including opening the new retail development – and the proposed M&S store – is set for 2017.
“We’re again raising the bar: taking positive action to change Oldham’s story and create a brighter future.”
Cabinet approved the Prince’s Gate masterplan last night. The next steps will be the submission of planning applications for the replacement Park and Ride facility, and the overall scheme.
A future Cabinet report will set out all the delivery options for this development with a full financial analysis.
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
If you would like to share an interesting story, achievement, photo or something you just want to happily shout about please send it in an email to hello@saddleworthlife.com We'd ❤ to hear from you!!
