Tommyfield final vox

This weekend, Tommyfield Market in Oldham will close its doors for the final time.

Traders on the indoor floor have already started moving out, and excitement is building as the town prepares the launch of its brand new market next to the Spindles shopping centre. 

The relocation marks a new beginning for the borough – but also the end of more than a century of trading at the Tommyfield site.

After years of planning, hope, delays, miscommunication, and challenging conditions that have seen dozens of traders give up their shops before the new market opened, the move has garnered mixed feelings among remaining business owners. 

Chuoi Trang and Kieu Thinguyen, the couple who have run Vina Nails from the centre of the market, are bubbling with anticipation for their new start. 

“I think it will be good for us,” Chuoi says with a beaming smile. "This building is very old and to get a new market – I think that will be better for business. Everybody will enjoy going to the new place and we hope we’ll get more customers.”  

Chuoi and Kieu have been gradually moving their equipment over to their new stall at Spindles for several weeks. The new place is bigger than their two-table nail salon in the Tommyfield.
“I want to make it more beautiful than here,” Chuoi said. “I’m very excited.” 

Maria Denton, 59, who manages Ian Dentons Jewellers, was equally positive. Maria has run the shop for 28 years, and believes the transition has ‘gone quite smoothly’. 

“We’re excited about everything being nice and new,” she said. “All our customers are really excited telling us they can’t wait to see us in the new place.”

Unlike other stalls, the jewellers hasn’t suffered from a loss of footfall to the same extent as other traders, as they also offer services like repairs and ring-fittings that can’t be replaced by online shopping, she explained. 

Many of the other traders have seen large dips in their customer bases since the pandemic lockdowns. And the problem has been slightly exacerbated in the last months, after the council announced a last-minute delay to the market opening.

“It’s been especially quiet this past month,” a staff member from bedding stall Land of Nod told the LDRS. “That’s normal for this time of year to be fair, but I also think a lot of people think we’re not even open anymore because of how many times they’ve said we’re closing last September or October.

“We’re hoping the new place will be busier than usual. Our space is going to be a lot smaller, but we’re hopeful it will ultimately be good for business.” 

And there are others who have been frustrated by the prolonged moving process. 

Rebecca Spencer (pictured below) has worked in cafes since she was 14 years old. At 52, she now runs Mum’s Kitchen, a friendly, buzzing caf in the middle of the old market that attracts a steady stream of loyal locals. 

“I’m not excited,” she says with a sigh. “It’s a new venture. It’s just that it’s took forever. When I first moved in here, I was told I’d be here for eight months. It’s been five years. It’s sort of taken the excitement out of it. 

“When they told us we were combining with Spindles, I thought it was a good idea, because both of them were half empty, so it makes sense to pull them together. But now there’s no big shops in Oldham. There’s nothing new coming here – so how will we attract new footfall? If you were to get some bigger shops into Oldham, the market would look after itself.” 

Rebecca believes part of the problem is the high rent levels charged by Oldham Council. “Over the years I’ve seen traders go that have been here thirty years. And it’s just been down to the rent. 

“I’m busy, and yet there’s nothing left by the time I’ve paid the rent and wages for the girls. It’s hard work. Any business nowadays, you make a living, you don’t make money. But I love it, so what else can I do?”

Having worked around Tommyfield for 45 years, she admits it’s ‘emotional’ to see the market go. 

That’s especially true because only a fraction of the number of traders who originally worked out of Tommyfield will be moving over to the new venue. While the space technically has room for 70 units, because of the differently sized businesses, only 45 out of more than 100 original stalls. 

New Image is one of the stalls not moving over to the new location. The trader did not wish to give his name, but told the LDRS he had decided to retire rather than move to the new location. 

“After the free period, the rent is very, very high,” he said. “I pay around £700 for my units. I would be paying £1,200 for a smaller space in the new building. It’s just not worth it for me.” 

Others are cautiously optimistic. 
“I’m still hesitant because nobody knows if it’s going to be a success until we actually move in there,” said Anton Jaskiewicz, 64, (pictured below) owner of the Battery Shop. He’s been trading at the market for 45 years, and is moving into a slightly smaller new stall at Spindles. “And I think they could’ve come up with a better name – it’s just ‘The Market’. That could be anywhere! It’s totally silly.
“But I’m looking forward to it. I do think we’ll all be happy when we get in there.” 

Townhall boss Arooj Shah said: “We’re incredibly excited to open the new Oldham Market –  a brighter, modern and welcoming space in the heart of Spindles that will put our traders in front of thousands more visitors each week.

“This is a fresh start for the market and a real opportunity for local businesses to grow. Traders have been on reduced rent in the old site for some time, so while rates will naturally return to normal levels in the new market, all fit‑out costs have been fully covered by the council to support their move. Demand for stalls has been extremely strong, and the new market is already oversubscribed.

“To those joining us in the new market – thank you. To those who’ve chosen not to relocate, we respect your decision and wish you every success.

“What we’re creating is more than a market: it’s a lively destination filled with independent businesses, great food and the unique character that makes Oldham special.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone when doors open on Saturday 28 March, with family activities from 9am. It’s the start of something genuinely exciting for our town centre.”