Gazebo market opens

The new gazebo-style stalls set up on Albion Street

There were firsts all round this morning when Oldham’s on-street market stalls opened for business.

The quick-assembly stalls, which will be put up and taken down each day they are used, are in Albion Street and Curzon Street.

One of the first traders was local man Derek Leach. He set out his first market stall after changing careers — he used to be an engineer.

The 55-year-old fruit and veg retailer said: “I’m excited by all this. The stalls look really smart, and every indication is we are going to have a busy day, and the sun’s going to shine.

“This is the first day of my first new venture, but I remember being brought to Tommyfield Market with my mum, so I hope we can regenerate the area.”