Supermarket and hotel deal to spark Prince’s Gate development

Oldham Mumps

Oldham Council has agreed a deal to bring a Lidl supermarket and a major UK hotel chain to Prince’s Gate at Oldham Mumps.

The local authority has agreed a land sale in principle with Lidl GB for the former Metrolink Park and Ride site with a planning application set to be submitted within weeks.

Subject to permission – and Lidl finalising its agreement with the hotel operator – this would deliver a new 28,560 sq ft Lidl store and a 68-bed hotel, plus customer car parking and scope for additional smaller retail units on this strategic site.

The news is a positive signal that the private sector is willing to invest in Oldham, said the council.

It would create jobs, strengthen the town centre offer and generate a significant sum from the land sale.

This would also be the first site in the Oldham Mumps area to be brought forward for regeneration.

Other schemes are under development as part of wider plans to realise a range of benefits, including new affordable and aspirational homes, and office space.

Sean Fielding, Oldham Council leader, 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.”

He added: “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.”

Lidl opened its first UK store in 1994 and now has more than 740 stores across England, Scotland and Wales, employing more than 22,000 people.

Nick Harvey, Lidl GB’s regional head of property, said: “We are delighted to be opening a new store in Oldham, which marks another milestone in our ambitious store expansion programme and the creation of more new jobs for the local area.

“For some time we’ve been committed to investing in the borough of Oldham, having opened our new store in Royton, and modernised our Chadderton store, in the last few years.

“We’re very much looking forward to building our new store in Oldham Mumps and opening our doors in the very near future.”

As part of the wider vision for Oldham Mumps there are plans for ground floor retail and business units with office space above to be located on the currently vacant land fronting the TfGM Park and Ride opposite the Metrolink stop.

A key driver in the plans is to provide a range of quality new homes, including a significant development of townhouses and apartments at Southlink on the opposite side of Oldham Way.

The vision includes giving a new lease of life to the Grade II-listed former NatWest bank building by conversion and extension.

More apartments and a pay and display car park are also under consideration for the former RSPCA/Roscoe Mill site to the west of Prince Street.

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