250 jobs in town centre makeover
PLANS to transform Oldham town centre – creating more than 250 jobs – have been given the green light.
Planning permission has been granted to create a 90,000 sq ft development on the former Sainsbury’s site on Bloom Street which has been derelict since 2004. This will be turned into new shops and a 12-storey car park with better pedestrian access.
The scheme – a joint venture between Oldham borough council and the Brookhouse Group – was unanimously supported by councillors at the town hall’s planning committee.
Tom whitehead, town planning manager at the Brookhouse Group, said the plans would create 250 jobs. He added: “The plans at Bloom Street will provide a vital contribution to enhancing the retail offer of the town centre.”
Matthew Sobic, director in the commercial planning team at Savills, who advised Oldham Property, said: “These exciting plans will deliver the muchneeded regeneration of a long-term vacant site. The proposal for the redevelopment of Bloom Street will continue to support the enhancement of Oldham town centre as a vital commercial centre.
“The development will complement and add to the wide variety of uses in the town centre including recent developments that have taken place such as the leisure centre adjacent to the Bloom Street site and the cinema and leisure development at the old town hall.”