Traders have started to move to new locations and Oldham is gearing up to open its new retail and event space at Spindles.
There has been a market in some form or another in the town centre since 1788 and although big changes are coming over the next months, the Tommyfield name will not be forgotten.
Instead, the council announced on Monday, July 21, that the new five-acre park currently under construction in the town centre, initially called Jubilee Park, will be renamed Tommyfield Park in honour of the area’s heritage.
The name Tommyfield dates back to the 18th century, but before that the area where the market stands was known as Curzon Ground, according to a Facebook post by Gallery Oldham.
The land had been acquired by Sir Nathaniel Curzon of Kedleston, a conservative politician, upon his marriage to his wife Mary, who was the co-heiress of Sir Ralph Assheton, in 1716.
But then, towards the end of the 18th century, the land changed hands again when it was bought by farmer Thomas Whittaker, also known as ‘Owd Tommy’, who was known for breeding pigs.
According to Gallery Oldham, it was common practice at the time for farms and fields to be named after their owners, hence the Tommyfield name that still exists today.
In 1880, the first indoor market was built in Oldham, called Victoria Market. It was replaced in 1907 and was referred to as the new Victoria Market.
At its height, Victoria Market was among the largest of its kind in the country, home to around 500 stalls and more than 100 indoor shops.
However, tragedy struck in 1974 when the new Victoria market burned down.
He said: “It was about three o’clock in the morning. We were coming back from another job via Ashton Road and saw a fireball in the sky. We were diverted to Victoria Market Hall along with 20 pumps from other authorities.
“Like most fires, it was confusing, but we were surprised at the extent of the fire when we got there. It was unusual that a fire in the centre of Oldham would have got underway so quickly as the town centre was patrolled.”
Cllr Dean added that the only part of the building that was saved from destruction was the facade and that so many people, namely traders, were affected that it only took Oldham Council four months to replace it.
This temporary structure remained until the 1990s when the current Tommyfield Market was erected.
Read more: Time to say goodbye to Oldham’s old Tommyfield Market
This will be linked to Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre, which has also been renamed The Spindles, and multi-purpose event space dubbed The Loom.
At the same time, work is also underway on the new Tommyfield Park.
It will include solar-powered lighting, wildlife-friendly landscaping and open green spaces, designed to benefit both residents and the area’s biodiversity, according to the council.
