‘Sneak peak’ at new town-centre park

Oldham’s brand new town-centre park will open in March 2026, the council has revealed.

In a CGI video, the local authority gave a ‘sneak peak’ of what to expect from the new Jubilee Park, six acres of brand new green space that will stretch from St Mary’s Way to Henshaw Street. 

“The park will be fully self-sustaining, featuring solar powered lighting and wildlife friendly spaces,” a spokesperson shared on the council’s Facebook page. “With work already underway, it won’t be long before this becomes a favourite spot, just like Oldham’s 34 other parks and green spaces!” 

An animated ‘flythrough’ pans over the expansive park, which is arranged around a large kidney-shaped lawn surrounded by mature trees.

Paths slalom through wooded areas, leading to a climbable rock formation to the west and a play area made of natural materials to the east. Picnic benches are dotted nearby to the playground, along with ‘stepping stone’ logs offering secret paths through the undergrowth. 

The park will operate as a green space and a cut through for pedestrians and cyclists, with street lights regularly spaced throughout the park for safety. Jubilee Park will cover the Tommyfield indoor market, which is due to be demolished later this year, and the former Rock Street car park. 

The video has spurred debate online, with more than 200 Oldham residents sharing their thoughts on the plans. 

Some raised doubts about building a new green space in the town centre instead of bringing new shops to the area, especially with the borough’s much-loved Alexandra Park just a ten minute walk from the town centre. Others were concerned about cleanliness and crime. 

“Which section will be for fly-tipping?” Oldham resident Chris Barrie joked. 

But many residents defended the plans from other ‘whingeing’ locals, saying they should ‘give it a chance’. 

Paul Davies said: “Initiatives like this are just what is needed in Oldham. Towns all over England are changing. The shopping experience has changed dramatically, therefore town centres are changing and need to adapt.”