Store has a growing impact

The new Tesco on Huddersfield Road, Oldham.

The changing face of Hill Stores, and the expanding Tesco store, are captured in these shots taken from the top of the 12-storey Littlemoor House tower block.

The former Co-op buildings at Hill Stores have, apart from the stonework getting dirtier, changed very little in the 15 years between these pictures being taken. But contrast the size of the Tesco store in the pictures — the one on the left was taken in 1994 and the other only a few days ago.

Once a single-storey supermarket, Tesco has become a bright white landmark in Huddersfield Road with the building work on a new 70,000 sq ft store. It is expected to open this year, and Tesco says it should secure 750 jobs. The £35 million improvement plan includes the new store, built on supports to provide car parking beneath, and new small shops along the Huddersfield Road frontage.

Existing shops next to Tesco will be refurbished, and the new store will stock clothing and electricals as well as food and drink. The old building was closed and demolished in 2007.