Crowds have been flocking to Uppermill since the days when the village first became Saddleworth’s administrative centre. In recent years tourists have been gathering there to visit the museum or to take a narrow boat ride along the canal to the Brownhill Countryside Centre. In the summer hundreds of people come to attend the Whit-Friday band contest, be entertained by the beer walkers or to watch the traditional Rushcart Festival.

But during the past twelve months or so, there have been significant changes along the high street, almost a rebirth, of the village’s shopping make up. Almost over night new boutiques, restaurants, art galleries and wine bars have appeared alongside the customary butchers and bakers. It now also boasts a lighting supplier to be proud of and a new optician.

All of a sudden Uppermill has become the place to be when it comes to retail therapy.
Leading the way with the transformation is Genre - a ladies high-class fashion outlet offering a fantastic range of top brand labels. Continuing the trend, there is a shoe boutique and even a bag boutique marketed as Bags of Choice.
Relocation to The Square, of the Millyard Gallery - a spacious fine art gallery with ongoing exhibitions of oils, watercolours and pictures has brought quality to the area not seen before. Nearby the adjacent Bella Colina restaurant and wine bar provides excellent Italian cuisine at affordable prices.
Further down the high street, opposite the museum, the Waggon Inn has recently undergone a complete refurbishment of its restaurant and the pub’s upper floor has been converted to provide bed & breakfast accommodation.

The Globe Centre is a great place to visit and there you will find the Underground Skate Company as well as Pause A Second - a fashion wear shop specialising in top store names at low prices. Behind the centre, in Smithy Yard, is Sparks Lighting a company operated by two brothers specialising in quality lighting and electrical accessories. You do not have to look far from here to see
20-20 Sadleworth who offer the right type of eye care for its customers.

There is one thing we do know, whether you are visiting Uppermill as a tourist or as shopper, you will certainly be one of the in-crowd.