Market's big drip in trade

Photo: Darren Robinson

WET, wet, wet . . . traders complain about the leaks. From left, Kieu Thi Nguyen, Chuoi Tran, Mohammed Safdar, Joyce Cumpsty and Shahid Mahmood.

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A LEAKY roof is causing misery for stallholders in Tommyfield Market Hall.

Cordons and buckets have had to be placed in two areas of the indoor market, the worst affected area being outside Vina Nails salon.

And traders told the Chronicle that leaks have been an ongoing problem for many years, and has yet to be resolved.

Chuoi Tran and his wife Kieu Thi Nguyen have owned the nail salon for six years. He said the roof started leaking at around lunchtime during Monday's downpours. "There was lots of water," said Mr Tran. "It's happened before, and happens again and again when it rains. "Nobody wants to come here. The water comes down and splashes on the customers inside. I only had one customer yesterday. Usually we're very busy but not when it rains like this."

Shabaz Qamar, who has owned the electronics stall - Home Centre - opposite Mr Tran for around 15 years, added: "It has been like this for about six or seven years ­- every time it rains. I'm losing business because of it, because when you block the aisle nobody wants to come here."

Also affected is Shahid Mahmood, who sells watches and various electronics further down. There were large buckets in front of his stall, which he said is bad for his business as people can't look at the products outside.

"They say they're trying to fix it but we don't know when and how," said Mr Mahmood, who has been a trader for 12 years. This week the water has come down from two locations and spread all over. It's bad for the old people. Nobody has slipped yet and hopefully nobody will. It's got worse in the last few weeks. It's really bad for my business. People avoid the area."

Mohammed Safdar, who owns Supreme Toiletries, has been a trader for 10 years and said leaks had been a problem for most of that time.

Sadia Haq runs Peter Haq's mens and women knitwear next door to the nail salon. Her dad used to own the business, which has been around for 50 years, which included the stall next door until it became a salon.

"It's disgusting," she said. "This is always the case when there's lots of rain and the water comes down."

Her staff member Joyce Cumpsty, who has worked on the stall for 18 years, explained that the water was splashing on the stock.

"The last time we had heavy rain the water came running down from the doors like a river," said Joyce.

Tom Stannard, director of economy and skills at Oldham Council, said: "Following the heavy rainfall over the last few days the roof at Tommyfield Market Hall leaked.

"Market staff placed containers around the hall to collect the water and we apologise to the traders and shoppers for any inconvenience.

"Contractors arrived on site on Tuesday morning and worked on the roof.

"We are confident the problem has been fixed as it stands, but as the building is unfortunately beginning to show its age we will monitor it closely.

"The market remains a popular shopping destination in the town centre."