A BAR with a unique name was praised by Oldham’s Council leader for helping put the town on a visitors map.

Cllr Arooj Shah made the comment after meeting traders on impromptu walk around Tommyfield Market.

She stopped and chatted with Michelle Riley, the enterprising landlady of The Cob and Coal, the market's only bar, which opened before the pandemic.

The leader said: “It's businesses like Cob and Coal that are putting Oldham on the map – bringing people into the town centre and offering the visitor experience that people tell us they want.

"It was brilliant to visit Tommyfield Market and see traders open for business and welcoming customers back safely.

"We have some fantastic independent businesses in Oldham and I was delighted to spend time with their owners and witness their entrepreneurial spirit, despite the incredibly difficult year they've faced.

"High streets across the UK have been struggling for many years and the pandemic has sadly only accelerated this. Oldham is not alone in losing some very well known retailers in recent months. But there is much to look forward to.

"Our investment in Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre is vital in supporting our recovery from the pandemic.

"By redeveloping the centre we will provide a new home for Tommyfield Market in the heart of our town centre where it will benefit from increased footfall and brand new modern surroundings.

"The redeveloped centre will also feature space for work, leisure, food, drink and entertainment and we look forward to sharing our plans soon.

"Our Creating a Better Place regeneration strategy will breathe new life into our town centre and ensure it thrives once again.

"The future of town centres is much more than just shopping, we must provide experiences and opportunities beyond traditional retail. Many of our independent traders are already paving the way and we will ensure we support them to grow and succeed."

Leicester-both Michelle launched the cosy bar using a traditional song to enshrine the bars individuality.

She said: ‘My husband Chris and I wanted a Leicester and Oldham connection. Chris always talked about cob coaling and the song so it was a contender.

“And I’ve got into a many a row over what s bread roll should be called. It’s a a cob in Leicester... so we decided on an honourable compromise and the name of the tune fitted the bill because of song’s connection to the area.”

The song “We come a cob coalin’” was a firm favourite sung by children in the run up to Bonfire Night.

History shows children would sing the song and neighbours would give them loose change, often to keep them quiet, or anything towards their bonfire.