Boom time for Bloom Street

BLOOM or bust . . . Bloom Street car park could be re-developed into a new retail store

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A FORMER town centre supermarket site could be transformed into a new retail store and 12-storey car park if a new planning application is approved.

The old Sainsbury's supermarket and car park on Bloom Street, described as an "eyesore" by developers, could be demolished to be replaced with a modern retail building and increased parking provision designed to attract a national retailer to the borough.

The site is currently being used as a 350-space surface level pay-and-display car park after Sainsbury's vacated the store to move to a new Union Street site in 2004.

The application has been submitted by Oldham Property LLP ­- a joint venture between Oldham Council and development company Brookhouse Group.

Plans include the demolition of the existing building and construction of a new retail unit consisting of 8,300 square metres of retail space split over a ground floor and mezzanine level.

The new12-storey car park would provide 376 spaces with an additional 196 external spaces ­- an increase of 222 spaces on site.

An additional "pod" unit has also been included in the plans and could be used as a restaurant or cafe.

Speaking on behalf of Oldham Property LLP, Tom Whitehead, town planning manager, said: "The site is widely known, but at the moment is clearly an eyesore at an important gateway to the town centre.

"With all the new development at the nearby college and at the leisure centre, this is the logical next phase of revitalising work.

"We feel now is the right time to secure a planning permission in order to give certainty and help secure retail operator interest.

"But the proposals don't just deliver regeneration and new retail. Many people tell us that there is too little car parking in the town centre right now, and this of course places limits on the local economy.

"Additional parking would therefore present great opportunities for local business, and would support the town's existing shops.

"This is a great site and an exciting opportunity for the town."

He added that Oldham Property LLP is hoping for a decision on the planning application in May, and, if approved, the intention is to start demolition work in the summer.

The applications forecasts that the proposed development could create between 442 full-time equivalent employment positions if used as a foodstore and 74 positions if used for non-food purposes.

Associated works on site include the provision of access into and out of the multi-storey car park on Booth Street to the east of the application site and a service yard access to the retail development from Middleton Road to the north. The existing access into the site along Bloom Street from Manchester Street to the south will be maintained.

The Church of the Nazarene, which sits on the site, is excluded from the proposals.