The redevelopment of Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre will take a huge step forward this week as contractors begin major works to transform the area.

The project envisions a new food and drink area within Tommyfield market as well as new workspaces, offices and co-working spaces, plus an events space for local businesses and residents to enjoy.

This week, a section of hoardings has been installed at the top of Parliament Square and the former TJ Hughes unit will be stripped to prepare it for demolition.

The Oldham Times: A CGI image of Tommyfield Market inside.A CGI image of Tommyfield Market inside.

The former TJ Hughes site is where the new Tommyfield Market and events space will take place.

As works continue on the major redevelopment, pedestrian access will be provided at all times through Parliament Square and to all nearby businesses.

A section of Town Square, which has already been closed to the public for some time, will also be screened off to enable the works to proceed inside the shopping centre.

Access to the Town Square car park will remain in place and businesses will continue to operate as normal.

In order to install new windows for the workspaces and other major changes to redevelop the upper mall of Spindles, a site will be set up on George Square in mid-August where alternative pedestrian access will be put in place.

The Oldham Times: A CGI image of the proposed workspaces.A CGI image of the proposed workspaces.

Leader of Oldham Council, Councillor Amanda Chadderton, said: “We’ve been getting on with the preparatory works for a number of weeks – but now the transformation really begins. 

“This is an exciting milestone in the project and you will soon start to see lots of changes taking place as we reshape the building for the future. 

“The centre remains open as normal throughout the redevelopment, and we will keep disruption to a minimum. 

“When complete you will be able to enjoy a much-improved venue which will include the new market and food hall, new events space, a co-working space and heritage archive. 

The Oldham Times: Redeveloped Spindles from George Square.Redeveloped Spindles from George Square.

“We’re working hard to attract new businesses and improve your visitor experience by consolidating the retail area to make it easier to shop and get around.

“We’re also improving the facilities, which includes putting in a Changing Places toilet, containing adult-sized changing benches, curtains, hoists and space for carers to help people with disabilities.

"Accessibility will also be made better throughout the centre – something you told us was really important during the Big Oldham Conversation consultation.”