Denehurst Stores risk job loss and closure

Photograph of the Denehurst Stores shop circa 1895 (no tram lines – installed about 1896/7)

Yellow lines due to be painted in front of Denehurst Stores risk job loss and closure of the shop, owing to the loss of passing trade.

Despite two previous committees rejecting the proposals as “unnecessary”, yellow lines will be painted outside the Edenfield Road shop. The lines will cover the front of the shop and continue slightly further up the road, meaning that no waiting at any time would be allowed for shoppers.

Former owner of the shop, Peter Oldham, describes the Traffic Restriction Order (TRO) as “contentious, unwanted and unnecessary.”

Current owner, James Oldham said that the lines would have a “detrimental effect” on his business and takings. He added: “people would rather park outside a shop, so if they cannot do so, they are likely to go elsewhere.” This means that nine jobs are now in jeopardy.

Peter Oldham added: “My son employs a number of 16 – 18 year olds on a part time basis, along with older employees, as I did in the past. It has long since been noticed that when these young people leave school they have all gone on to take up full time work and we like to think it is because of their work experiences with us.”

The lines were intended to be painted on 1 July, however, after being in contact with Councillor Farooq Ahmed and Councillor Colin Lambert, James Oldham hopes that plans regarding this TRO are to be changed. As it currently stands, the lines have not been painted outside the shop.

Denehurst Stores opened around 1853, by James Howarth of Air Hill, Spotland. The shop is run by James Oldham, who took over the shop from his father, Peter, in 2005. The business has been in the family for a number of years - Peter Oldham purchased the shop from his sister-in-law in 1995, who had bought the shop in 1987.

Peter Oldham goes on to ask: “In the past 160 years of continuous trading there has never been a problem, so why the intervention now?”