The 'rundown' Greater Manchester town that not even residents want to visit

It was only built in 2012. But shoppers in a Greater Manchester town say its central market – revamped at a cost of £1.2m – just isn’t good enough.

Talking to people on the streets of Hyde, the same themes kept coming up. People long for the days when they could buy everything without leaving the town. And they feel vape shops, charity shops and takeaways have come to dominate the high street.

The market was supposed to inject new life into the centre of Hyde, but with recent issues with anti-social behaviour, traders complaining of declining footfall and shoppers saying they have to leave the town to get what they want, the market has become a particular source of frustration.

Regular frequenters of Hyde’s Market Street told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they did not want to travel to Ashton or Manchester for extra items – they want everything nearby – but they feel they have no choice.

Dean Hamood loves living in Hyde and is proud of where he’s from. But he feels like his Tameside town has been forgotten.

“I love living here, but it’s getting more run down. Ashton seems to get all the money. They’ve done up the market but in front of shops so they can’t be seen. Only the pigeons like it.

He thinks the market is a sign of a disconnect between the people and local authorities. And he’s noticing signs of decline.

“The people here in Hyde are great, they’re genuine. But look, there we meet six banks here and now there are two. Shops are closing because of the rates because they’re so high. When the leases are up they leave.

“If you look around we have lots of charity shops – everyone is getting priced out. One, two, three bookies all facing each other over there. Where I live there are lots of old people and there is nothing in those little hamlets down the road like Newton, they can’t get out. There is nothing in the surrounding areas, even the pubs are closing.”

Tameside council says they have taken a ‘major step’ towards improving things. Change can’t come soon enough for shoppers like Michael Spencer.

His football team, Hyde United, recently played Lancaster City away. The trip to the Lancashire cathedral city left him with a sense of what a thriving, small Northern centre can look like.

“It’s all rundown,” the 73-year-old said of Hyde. “It’s because they shut the library and it’s derelict, then you’ve got Ashton and they have a brand new library and colleges.

“All the money goes to Ashton. There is not much happening here. We’ve got the new market but it’s filled with pigeons. No shoe or sports shops or anything, but there’s lots of cafes and vape shops.

“If you want other things you have to go to Denton or to Ashton or other boroughs. Everyone my age says in the last 10 years things have just gone downhill.”

Linda Harrison, 65 and Denise Washington, 72, were just on their way to Ashton. When quizzed as to why they were not shopping in Hyde, they responded by saying ‘are you mad?’

Linda said: “It’s crap and there’s nothing here, they’re doing up elsewhere but not us. Places are shutting not opening – we’re being left out. You can’t up sticks and leave, you need the money to do that.”

Denise added that previously everyone wanted to come to Hyde as ‘it was great’, but now times have changed.

Change is promised though – after the Government recently announced that Hyde town centre is one of ten high streets which will receive a £237,000 seed funding and become part of the High Street Accelerator pilot programme.

The masterplan aims to transform the centre of Hyde over the next two decades and make it a ‘desirable place to live, socialise and shop’, becoming a ‘thriving hub for daily urban life’. A newly refurbished town hall, increased pedestrianised areas and flexible space for events and activities are all touted by council bosses.

The ‘rationalisation and relocation’ of parking areas to create ‘high quality’ development sites for the town centre are also included in the local authority’s vision. After the initial funding there will be a further opportunity to apply for a share of up to £5m to improve Hyde’s green spaces and move forward on projects that will create more pleasant environments for residents.

Meanwhile, market traders believe that locals need to get behind the town and get on board with council investments and projects rather than just slating it.

Umair Hussain, who has been trading outdoors for the last 16 years flogs everything and anything – admitting he has expanded his range due to the number of outdoor traders dropping out.

He defends Tameside Council’s efforts to support local business. “If the council is doing something wrong here I would say, but this time I think those people criticising the market are wrong. There is a discount for new traders to come and try it out – you wouldn’t get a spot in a shop for £10.

“There is nothing else the council can do to help the business than that. People sit at home and blame the council for the state of the town centre.

“The market still holds value today. If people weren’t spending money here I wouldn’t keep coming back would I? People are still coming. People who are negative about the market need to come here and invest, they will get cheaper stuff as well.

“People need to come in order to bring others. Business owners I know are going elsewhere where people do spend money. Come to the market, and then traders will come back. I’m here and I’m staying here.”

It’s become a Catch-22. Traders say shoppers need to support the market for it to work, but shoppers say it needs better businesses to bring them in.

Martyn Greenhalgh has worked on and off at the outdoor market for 15 years doing different jobs, and thinks it needs a facelift to make it a success.

“It’s run down and no one is coming. It’s getting too much for people. People need to come in but the council should invest in doing it up properly.”

John Sutton, who has been a regular stallholder since he was 15, believes there is still a place in 2024 for the traditional outdoor market – but feels they need support from a big name anchor tenant nearby that can draw more footfall into the area.

“They need decent shops,” John said. “Something like a TX Maxx or sports shops, something decent. It’s just takeaways, takeaways and more takeaways about. I’ve been doing this for 28 years, it was dropping off before Covid. The market, we can’t get rid of it, we can’t sell it. They need some good shops to get people in again.”

A new chapter for Hyde

In terms of investment into the area, there is hope that the Godley Green Garden Village development plan has the potential to bring 2,150 homes to Tameside, boosting the local area’s population and bringing added benefits for Hyde. The council believes the development can benefit the area through job creation and training and apprenticeship opportunities for residents.

The Garden Village plans include education and health care provision, retail, and recreation facilities, along with all necessary road infrastructure and utilities to support the new homes.

The size and scope of the development has been specifically designed to ensure that the surrounding areas will not be overwhelmed, the council says. Affordable homes for everyone from first time buyers to older people looking to downsize are promised.

The plans also involve major investment in green space and biodiversity to protect and enhance the natural habitats and increase current public access to the greenspace by 50 per cent, the council says. The project also supports the borough’s obligations for building new homes over the next 17 years to meet the needs of its current and future community.

The approval of outline planning in November 2023 marked a significant milestone for the project and work is now underway to find a master developer partner that can support delivery of the council’s vision for Godley Green. Hyde town centre, at less than three miles away, would be nearest to the development – bringing with it the hope of new shoppers and a revived local economy.

What Tameside Council says

Coun Jack Naylor, Tameside Council Executive Member for Inclusive Growth, Business and Employment, stated: “We know, that like many of our other Town Centres, Hyde needs investment to help shape and improve it for both current and future generations. The creation of the masterplan and strategy is a major step in the regeneration process for Hyde as it will allow us to seek funding sources to support the plans.

“The work we are doing on the masterplan and the vision for the town centre is important to help us attract investment and re-invigorate civic pride. Hyde has a strong, close-knit community who want to see the best for their town, and we share in that vision.

“The developing masterplan is all about how we can build on the town’s existing assets and heritage and work with residents to make it more vibrant for the future. HemingwayDesign and GL Hearn are collaborating closely with our team and are leading on the development of the new vision, masterplan, and strategy which is now in the final stages.

“The proposals that were drafted and approved at the Council’s Executive Cabinet meeting in March 2023, then went out for public consultation in summer 2023. We have used the vital feedback gained from talking to local residents, businesses, stakeholders, and visitors to identify the key themes and areas for improvement.

“The proposals aim to tackle the key challenges but also celebrate and revitalise the town’s important assets and public spaces. A key part of the proposals will be helping to develop an improved market and shopping offer within more attractive surroundings.

“This is a challenge as we know shopping habits have changed nationally and affected all high streets. However, there are established independent businesses, including bars, cafes and restaurants in Hyde which attract shoppers and visitors, some from out of the area, and this is the kind of thriving scene we want to support.

“Hyde Town Hall too, is a locally treasured asset, and could play a key role in revitalising the town. In order to explore how it could be used for the benefit of the whole community we are undertaking a feasibility study on potential uses and the benefits they could bring.

“We want to make the market square a place for cultural events, animating it again so it’s somewhere people really want to spend time. Shop frontage improvements would also benefit the shopping centre and businesses across the town and make the area more attractive for new retailers.

“Creating a new re-imagined shopping area with more greenery and landscaping, with better pedestrian areas, improved public realm, and traffic calming measures will help create a safer and more welcoming environment. This will aid in diversifying the offer and help make Hyde a great place to live, work and visit which can meet the needs of current and future generations.”