The project bringing thousands of new jobs, housing and a Lidl to Oldham

Work is progressing on a ‘pivotal’ project to bring more businesses and employment opportunities in a Greater Manchester borough.

The multi-million pound scheme will introduce a total of more than 2,700 jobs, 680 new homes, and five new shops including a Lidl and a Starbucks to Oldham. 

Works to introduce new warehouses and housing in Broadway Green are “nearing completion”, while designs for Hollinwood are moving to the final stages of planning, townhall boss Arooj Shah told her cabinet on Monday (Sept 16). 

Coun Shah said: “These projects are really pivotal to our strategy for driving growth, creating jobs and also providing new homes within our borough.” 

The update comes as Oldham reels from the  ‘devastating’ blow of the closure of Yodel’s Shaw distribution centre in July, which slashed 350 jobs in the borough. But the scheme, which has been almost 15 years in the making, could soon offer locals new opportunities. 

Around 480k square feet of warehousing space has already been built in Broadway – equivalent to around 760 jobs once occupied. And developers Chancerygate have planned another industrial complex with 18 smaller warehouses – and around 200 full-time positions – in the area. 

Plans are also progressing to bring 720 jobs tio Hollinwood Junction with more warehousing. 

The £39m Broadway Green scheme has previously come under fire from local councillor Howard Sykes, who criticised the council for selling off the ‘valuable’ land to “build a shed”. But the council argued the project will boost the local economy and create jobs. 

Almost 400 new homes have already been built, with an additional 280 in the pipeline across both areas. Around 300 will be affordable rent or shared ownership.

Coun Shah noted in the meeting that the project has also already come with £23m of infrastructure works, including a new spine road (Lydia Becker Way), highways and junction improvements and a brand new park. 

Once fully complete, Oldham Council will receive a financial return of almost £7.5m and could be seeing additional yearly income of £2.1m in business rates and £1m in council tax. The financial benefits could prove vital in future years as the council seeks to plug its growing budget holes in the face of rising demand and cost of children’s and social care.