Member Article

M&S confirmed for Oldham retail scheme

Oldham Council and Marks & Spencer (M&S) have now exchanged contracts to seal a move to the forthcoming Prince’s Gate retail development.

M&S is to become anchor tenants at the wide-ranging regeneration scheme which was unveiled last month and is set to open in 2017.

The mixed-use scheme will deliver around 150,000 sq ft of extra retail space, up to 800 homes as part of a new quality living offer – including apartments – and around 700 car parking spaces.

M&S will be opening a 51,000 sq ft clothing, home and food store at the new development. This will be built on the current Park and Ride site at Oldham Mumps with a replacement facility to be provided on the opposite side of the road.

Jim McMahon, Oldham Council leader, said: “We never doubted it would happen but it’s a really positive milestone to be able to officially confirm Marks & Spencer is coming to Oldham.”

“M&S is a fantastic authentic brand and it is obvious why we’ve worked so hard to get them here. Our market research overwhelmingly told us they are the favourite missing High Street store people wanted to see here and we’ve now delivered that.

“Prince’s Gate at Oldham Mumps is a vital part of our wider regeneration plans that are set to give the town centre a huge stimulus.

“Oldham is already becoming an attractive destination for a range of business. Our new Independent Quarter has a waiting list of people to talk to us about the fantastic package of support and incentives on offer to smaller traders and, at the other end of the scale, M&S will now help us attract more high street retailers.

“Princes’ Gate is the most ambitious Oldham project has seen for decades. It is independently estimated to create up to 800 new jobs and just one part of a strategic vision to grow our local economy, help residents and business, and generate new income to support council services.”

A spokesperson for M&S said: “We can confirm that we have now exchanged contracts for a full line store in the Prince’s Gate development and look forward to progressing plans in the near future.”

Oldham Council and M&S began negotiations on the move to Oldham back in 2011.

An independent economic analysis of the Prince’s Gate masterplan by AMION Consulting recently identified it could be worth up to £21 million per year to the local economy.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .