Oldham Council has announced a series of key developments as part of its Building a Better Oldham programme, revealing new names and milestones for the regeneration of the town centre.

The updates were presented at the Oldham Town Centre Forum where local businesses gathered to hear the latest on the transformation plans.

One of the headline announcements was the renaming of three central elements of the regeneration project to reflect Oldham's historic connection to the cotton industry. The Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre will now be known simply as ‘The Spindles’, marking its shift from a traditional shopping centre to a mixed-use space for retail, business, and community activities.

As part of this transformation, the indoor market will relocate into The Spindles and operate under the new name 'The Market'. This two-level shopping hub will feature a lower level opening onto Parliament Square and an upper level connecting directly to the retail centre, combining traditional market stalls with modern shopping experiences. The Market is expected to open in September.

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Above the new market, a purpose-built event space named 'The Loom' is also set to open in November. Designed to host a variety of events throughout the year, The Loom will accommodate up to 1,000 standing guests, 700 seated, or 500 for dining, and can be divided into smaller areas for more intimate gatherings.

The names, The Spindles, The Market, and The Loom, pay homage to Oldham's legacy as a global centre of cotton spinning and textile production, weaving the town’s industrial past into its future.

In another development, it was confirmed that Queen Elizabeth Hall will remain open until January 2026, allowing events and performances—including this year’s Christmas pantomime Beauty and the Beast, to go ahead as planned. All bookings between September and December 2025 will be honoured.

In a further boost to the town centre's revival, a new Shop Front Grant Scheme was launched to support independent businesses. Aimed at improving the visual appeal and vibrancy of Oldham’s retail areas, the scheme offers grants covering up to 75% of eligible refurbishment costs, with up to £10,000 available for single shop fronts and £20,000 for double-fronted units, subject to assessment. The grants are match-funded, with business or property owners contributing at least 25% of the total project cost.