Lidl resurrects Oldham Prince’s Gate
Oldham Council has agreed a deal with Lidl and a hotel operator to deliver a mixed-use project on the Prince’s Gate site, formerly due to house an M&S superstore before the retailer pulled out in 2016.
Lidl will build a 28,560 sq ft store on the site, formerly a Metrolink park & ride facility and now a temporary pay-and-display car park next to Oldham Mumps Metrolink stop.
It has partnered with an as-yet-unnamed hotel operator which will build a 68-bed hotel, while customer car parking and smaller retail units will also be provided on the site.
These retail units will also have office space on the upper floors, and will be built on vacant land fronting the Metrolink park & ride site.
Prince’s Gate was formerly set to host a Marks & Spencer, which committed to open a clothing, home and food store on the site in November 2014. However, these plans were canned in late 2016 after the retailer reported falling sales and profits.
The site will be the first brought forward under a wider masterplan for Oldham Mumps, where the council is looking to develop offices and a mix of residential accommodation. This also includes restoring and extending the grade two-listed NatWest bank building, and building apartments on the former Roscoe Mill site to the west of Prince Street.
Cllr Sean Fielding, leader of Oldham Council, said: “This is exciting news and a significant first step in kick-starting the regeneration of Prince’s Gate at Oldham Mumps. This is the key eastern gateway to our town centre and it’s important we deliver the right development here through a scheme that is both sustainable and presents no risk to the taxpayer.
“It’s encouraging to see that our vision for this site has inspired others to come forward and invest in Oldham. Their confidence will help us bring other parties to the table on our plans to transform the wider area. It’s great to see that Lidl is committed to creating new jobs and working with local suppliers in the creation of the store.
“The addition of a new hotel adjacent to the Metrolink line also fills a significant gap for Oldham town centre and aligns with our work to transform the night-time economy.
“This scheme can add value to our local economy, generate new income and give real impetus to our plans to revitalise Oldham’s retail, cultural and leisure attractions.”
