Westshield – Councillor Jean Stretton (Oldham Council Leader) with Gerard Waldron (Westshield Director) and Brian Ashton (Westshield Contracts Manager) at what will become the new Park and Ride site at Prince’s Gate at Oldham Mumps.
Work on the first stage of the Prince’s Gate at Oldham Mumps development – a replacement Park and Ride facility – is set to begin in April.
This ‘gamechanger’ regeneration scheme aims to transform the town centre’s eastern gateway with new shops, quality homes and jobs.
Central to it is a new retail development which would deliver around 150,000 sq ft of new space in a glazed building – including a 51,000 sq ft M&S food and clothing store.
Jean Stretton, Oldham Council Leader, recently met with contractors Westshield Ltd at what will be the new Park and Ride site on the opposite side of Mumps, at land off Regent Street.
This will provide 254 spaces – the same as the existing site on the opposite side of Mumps – in a two-storey structure that will include additional disabled parking spaces.
Westshield has been providing reliable and high quality civil engineering and construction solutions to a wide range of public, private and local authority clients since 1977.
Councillor Stretton said: “It’s fantastic news that work is beginning soon on the first phase of this exciting development for Oldham. Prince’s Gate, along with the rebirth of the Old Town Hall cinema-led entertainment complex up the road, are the most ambitious Oldham projects for decades.
“Prince’s Gate is a very important piece in our town centre regeneration jigsaw and will give the area such a huge retail, economic and housing boost.
“Oldham is already becoming an attractive destination for a range of business. Our new Independent Quarter – the link between Prince’s Gate and the Old Town Hall – has attracted a lot of new companies and supported existing independent traders.
“We hope that with names like M&S and Odeon coming to Oldham, further business will be attracted to the town.”
Gerard Waldron, Westshield Director, said: “As a local contractor employing local people, Westshield is excited to have secured this contract to work in partnership with Oldham Council on the first phase of the Prince’s Gate at Oldham Mumps regeneration scheme.”
The Prince’s Gate at Oldham Mumps scheme, a phased development, also includes plans for up to 800 homes, including apartments, and approximately 700 car parking spaces overall.
More information can be seen by visiting www.oldham.gov.uk/princesgate
Go to neighbouring Ashton and there’s at least two dedicated vegetarian/vegan establishments. In Oldham, with its large student population (vegetarianism/veganism is particularly well represented among this demographic), a big fat-zero!