Spindles

Spindles Market & Event Space, Oldham

Willmott Dixon
Construction

CLIENT

Public venue, performance, community space

INDUSTRY

Specialist stage lighting and sound systems

SCOPE

Project overview

The redevelopment of Oldham’s Spindles Market created a new focal point for the town, combining retail, food, and a multi-use event space within a single destination. As part of this transformation, a flexible performance venue was developed to host theatre, live music, conferences, and community events.

Vanti Stage was appointed by Willmott Dixon Construction to design and deliver the specialist stage lighting and sound systems that would enable this space to perform at a professional level while remaining accessible for everyday use.

The challenge & objectives

The event space was designed to operate in two very different modes. It needed to function as a single large performance venue for touring productions and headline events, but also be capable of dividing into three acoustically isolated spaces, each hosting independent activities.

The challenge was to create technical systems that could support these varying configurations without compromising performance quality, safety, or ease of use. The venue would be operated by a broad mix of professional technicians, local organisations, and community groups, so the technology needed to be powerful yet intuitive.

Solutions delivered

We designed an integrated lighting and sound solution that balances creative flexibility with operational simplicity.

The lighting system uses energy-efficient LED fixtures and intelligent control platforms that allow operators to move easily between small community events and full-scale productions.

A Dante-enabled audio network provides consistent, high-quality sound across all venue configurations, supporting everything from spoken word and background music to complex live performances. Projection and presentation systems were incorporated to enable corporate and community use, including conferences, screenings, and educational events.

Accessibility was also a key focus. Wi-Fi-based assisted listening ensures that all audience members, regardless of hearing ability, can engage fully with events.

Vanti Stage delivered an integrated SLAV system, designed for adaptability and professional performance:

Lighting & rigging
Three fixed internally wired grids, Chauvet lanterns and moving heads, Chamsys MQ50 console with simple wall station presets, and 14 rigging points for touring equipment.

Audio
EV pendant speakers for background music and paging, Yamaha TF3 digital mixer with Dante network, integration of legacy active speakers, and a WiFi-based assisted listening system.

AV & projection
8,000-lumen laser projector, motorised 4.5m projection screen, and HDMI facility panels throughout.

Stage Engineering
Infrastructure to support flexible layouts and professional productions.

Results & impact

The Spindles Market & Event Space now operates as a highly flexible cultural venue.

The venue serves both professional productions and the local community. The technology fades into the background when not needed, yet delivers powerful performance capability when demanded.

Today, the venue stands as a major cultural asset for Oldham, supporting live entertainment, learning, business events, and community gatherings within a single adaptable environment.

The new Spindles Market & Event Space is:

Unmatched in versatility
transformable from community events to national touring acts.

Operationally efficient
dual control options (professional desk or simple presets) make it accessible to all.

Professional standard
high-quality kit and infrastructure attract organisers and performers.

A true community asset
a modern venue that brings people together for culture, commerce, and connection.

Key outcomes

Flexible
Flexible performance infrastructure supporting multiple room configurations

Professional
Professional-grade lighting and sound systems with intuitive control

Inclusive
Inclusive design with assisted listening for improved accessibility

Future-ready
A future-ready venue supporting touring, corporate, and community use