A milestone in the plan to revive a dying town centre

It's a plan that could revive a dying town centre - and the wheels are in motion. Oldham council officially launched its move into the Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre on Thursday (February 29).

The climax of a four-year and £65m project, 1,000 employees are due to move into the newly renovated offices in the top floor of the shopping centre.

The move is part of a regeneration plan for Oldham town centre that aims to increase footfall on the high streets and create local housing. Council leader Arooj Shah was present at an opening ceremony to mark the 'symbolic and monumental milestone'.

Coun Shah said: "People want to see their town centre thrive - they want the hustle and bustle. For the young girl I was who loved Oldham’s busy town centre, I’m so proud to be a part of a movement that brings that back."

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Almost all of the first floor of the shopping centre has been converted into office space for council departments along with partners such as social care providers Miocare and the Northern Care Alliance. It also features a ‘hub space’ due to open in six weeks where start-ups and freelancers will be able to rent a desk.

Council officer Chris Lewis said: “Oldham is renowned for its successful start up businesses so it’s only right that we’d provide this space for them”.

By combining office and retail space, the council hopes people will feel more encouraged to pop into shops on their way home or in their lunch break.

The opening ceremony brought together council officers and local traders, who manage the shops in the shopping centre’s ground floor. They were excited about the new development after spending the last