There are some places in Greater Manchester that have become such deep-rooted institutions you often forget how remarkable they truly are.
Take, for example, Tommyfield Market.
This market hall has been part of Oldham, in some shape or form, since way back in the 18th century, when the land was owned by a Thomas Whittaker.
Over the years, it’s bounced back from terrible fires, moved location a few times, and seen hundreds of brilliant local traders come and go.
It’s got a brilliant history – I mean, did you know that Tommyfield Market was home to the first fish and chip shop? – but its present day is quite amazing too.
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There are 107 stalls here, and when we say you can buy just about anything, we mean it.
Credit: The Manc Group
Traders here peddle everything from clothes to jewellery to furniture to retro sweets to handbags to candles, all under one roof.
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This is a place where you can do your full food shop while supporting local businesses, from the meat sold by Bentley’s Butchers and Meat in the Middle to the fruit and veg from Taylors.
You can pick up beautiful soaps from Nuage 9, buy beautiful blooms and homewares from local florist Blooming Dale’s, and even get a new oven or washing machine.
Then there’s the incredible food being sold and cooked here.
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Credit: The Manc Group
You’ll never visit without finding locals huddled round proper mugs of tea at Deelites Cafe, or tucking in to homemade treats at Mum’s Kitchen.
One of the bigger units at Tommyfield Market is occupied by Levers Chippy, serving incredible fish and chips and the sort of gravy that coats every millimetre of your dinner.
The traditional food continues at The Greenroom Cafe, where you can get a meat and potato pie just like the ones your nan used to make – we’re talking the sort of pastry with tiny cracks in the surface, and tonnes of mushy peas on the side.
Local bakery Oskas sells proper, proper oven-bottom muffins for the best sandwich you’ll ever make, as well as pies and cakes.
Levers Fish & Chips at Tommyfield Market. Credit: The Manc Group
Cafe da Preta will transport you straight to Portugal with its menu of traditional dishes, and then there’s Lucknow Junction, where we found – and I kid you not – the best butter chicken of our lives.
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This little Indian gem has curries and snacks galore, as well as traditional breakfasts like stuffed parathas and kathi rolls.
And then when you’re all shopped out, you can kick back with a pint at Cob & Coal, a micro pub with a renowned selection of real ciders as well as ales, German lagers, and – at this time of year – mulled wine.
Tommyfield Markets is a meeting place, a shopping place, and a place for local business to thrive.
You can visit between 9am and 5.15pm, Monday to Saturday.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Oldham
‘Complex’ Metrolink repairs to the Rochdale via Oldham line could take weeks to complete
Emily Sergeant
Work currently underway on the Rochdale via Oldham line is expected to take several weeks to complete.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that land movement affecting the Metrolink network near Derker has now “slowed”, and this means that detailed ground investigations and temporary repair works have been able to get underway.
In order for trams to run again on the crucial line from the city centre to the two major Greater Manchester towns, TfGM says that a small section of track has to be moved back – also known as ‘slewed’ – into its original position.
The overhead line poles also need to be repaired too, the transport operator revealed.
Rochdale line update
Land movement affecting the Metrolink network near Derker has slowed, enabling detailed ground investigations and temporary repair works to get underway.
To get trams running again, a small section of track has to be moved back into its original position… pic.twitter.com/byERjitdi1
Unfortunately though, due to the “complex” nature of these works, and despite the fact that TfGM says it’s actively looking to “accelerate” the repairs, the project is expected to take up to five weeks to complete in full.
On top of this, the detailed ground investigations will also establish whether any further work to strengthen foundations beneath the track will be needed at a later date.
TfGM has apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
‘Complex’ Metrolink repairs to the Rochdale via Oldham line could take weeks to complete / Credit: TfGM
Speaking on the scale of works currently underway, and how long he expects them to continue for, Pete Sommers, who is TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said: “I’m sorry for the impact this is having, and will continue to have, on people’s journeys.
“We are working to get trams running through the area again, but this remains a complex and challenging issue and it could still be a few weeks before this happens.
“We will of course keep passengers updated, and I’d encourage people to check our social media channels and website for the latest information and advice.”
Rochdale and Oldham trams suspended due to ‘land movement’ along track
Daisy Jackson
A busy section of Manchester’s tram network will be suspended on Wednesday due to ‘land movement’.
Metrolink services will be unable to run any further than Oldham Mumps while engineers investigate.
The Bee Network announced on Tuesday evening that trams along the Rochdale and Oldham line had been operating with speed restrictions.
But due to ‘some land movement affecting the track’ between Derker and Shaw and Crompton, the line will be partially suspended on Wednesday 10 July.
The severity and nature of the land movement has not yet been announced.
Customers in Rochdale and Oldham will be able to use their tickets on local bus services instead while trams are suspended.
Pete Sommers, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said: “The safety of our passengers, staff and the wider public is our absolute priority, which is why we have made these decisions.
“I understand this will be frustrating for passengers, and am sorry for the impact on people’s journeys.
“We will provide an update as soon as possible and I’d encourage people who usually travel in the area to check our app, website and social media channels for the latest information and advice.”
Ticket acceptance will be in place on the 17, 57, 59, 81, 83, 84, 114, 149, 181, 182, 402, 403, 409, 411, 434, 435, 436, 450, 451, 455 and 471 bus services and rail services between Rochdale and Manchester City Centre.
Simply show the driver/inspector your Metrolink ticket or pass when boarding.
The 434, 435, 436, 450, 451 and 455 services operate every hour.
If you require journey assistance, you can call Metrolink on 0161 205 2000 or use the customer call points at the stop.