A taxi rank in Oldham town centre is being closed as part of the redevelopment works taking place in the town.

Oldham Council has said that the Dan Fold taxi rank, based behind the former Snipe Inn pub and across from Oldham Bus Interchange, will be closed down as the former pub is set to be demolished.

The 130-year-old pub, which closed down in December 2022 after it was bought by the council, will make way for a landscaped public realm which will connect Oldham Bus interchange to the Tommyfield Market area.

In a social media post, the council said the taxi rank would have to be closed as demolition works are carried out.

The council did say that extra cabs will be available outside The Tommyfield pub on nearby Henshaw Street.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

It added that it was "sorry for any inconvenience" that the extra capacity would, along with the other town centre taxi ranks, would offer plenty of options for people looking to catch a cab.

The taxi ranks in the town centre are:

  • Spring Garden Terrace
  • Natwest Rank
  • Greaves St Rank
  • Mumps Rank
  • Regent St Rank
  • The Tommyfield Pub 
  • ICC Rank
  • Waterloo Street
  • The Square Uppermill Rank

The demolition of the former Snipe Inn was approved by the council's planning committee in February.

In honour of the pub, the space will be named ‘Snipe garden’ and feature designs inspired by the snipe bird. 

It will connect the bus interchange to the future Linear Park, which will be named the Jubilee Park in memory of Queen Elizabeth II.

The redevelopment of this area of the town centre will aim to make it more attractive and better connected for pedestrians and cyclists.