Roger, I don't think Metrolink will be the death of Oldham, it's been dying for some time. It shouldn't have happened. Oldham has good road links to surrounding areas, easy access to the motorway system and, until recently, good bus & rail links. Tommyfield market used to be one of the best in the area. If OMBC had followed Ashton's example, they'd have the same benefits. A lot busier shopping area, good indoor & outdoor markets, regular farmers markets (there must be enough farms in Saddleworth etc to support one in Oldham). I think what killed Oldham town centre has been high market stall rents, high shop rents,and high car parking fees. The proliferation of bars & take-aways on Yorkshire Street hasn't helped; they're closed during the day & that gives Yorkshire Street a deserted & oppressive look, yet this is the main route between the train station & the shopping area.

Regarding the cinema, it's some years since Oldham had a town centre cinema (both the Odeon & the ABC closed in the 80's) & the Roxy was well out of the town centre. I did hear some talk a while ago about the old town hall being made into some sort of cinema/leisure complex, which would be good.

Oldham councillors should take a trip to Rochdale & see what the future is unless they take quick & drastic action. It's that bad in Rochdale centre that even Mcdonalds have closed.

Like you & your partner, we tend to shop in Ashton, Bury or Manchester, using Oldham only on rare occasions.