The doors are now open at local pop-up store Oldham Made, following a campaign led by Oldham Council to kickstart the retail revolution of the borough.
Open for the month of March, the pop-up shop will provide a platform for 16 small, independent businesses from the borough who have signed up to be part of the community hub.
Transforming an empty retail unit in Spindles into a shop designed to celebrate home-grown, creative retailers, the Oldham Made store showcases products such as crafts, clothes, gifts, locally brewed beers and candles.
Born out of a plea from local residents for more retail units for independents, Oldham Made is designed for fun, with even the quirky pop-up store design created by a local Oldhamer.
Artfully designed in timber and artificial grass, Oldham-born Oliver Williams and his company Ollywood have turned the pop-up project around in just four weeks.
Oliver, from Denshaw, said: “I couldn’t be prouder to be back in my hometown supporting local business and creating something unique and special for shoppers. A lot of thought has gone into creating something different and innovative and I hope people get behind the small businesses taking part”.
Jacqui Jones previously made lampshades for larger companies as white label products, but found all the shops she supplied were sadly forced to close down following the Covid-19 outbreak.
She has spent the last year building her own brand, Feature Lighting, creating exquisite lampshades in locally woven wools and linens, which will be on display at Oldham Made throughout March.
Leader of Oldham Council, Councillor Arooj Shah, said: “We are so proud to be opening the doors of our new pop-up shop Oldham Made.
"It showcases the amazing range of talent we have in Oldham, while giving our local entrepreneurs and makers a helping hand.
“By providing a space where small businesses can come together to show off their fantastic range of products, we hope to create a buzz about shopping small, shopping local, and shopping Oldham Made.
"But what's really exciting is that Oldham Made is just one small part of our plans for Spindles and the regeneration of our town centre, and just one of the many ways we're supporting the small and independent businesses doing awesome things in our borough."
The Oldham Made shop will be open Monday to Saturday from 9am until 5pm and is funded by The Welcome Back Fund, set up by the European Regional Development Fund and Her Majesty’s Government.
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