Oldham town centre is set to be “transformed” after being granted £24.4m from the Towns Fund for 2021.
The £3.6 billion government pot was announced in January – with the money released to boost local economies, create jobs and help towns build back better from the pandemic.
Oldham is set to use its share of the funding to create the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park – providing 160 acres of high-quality green space for community use.
Part of the money will also be used to turn Tommyfield Market into a purpose-built facility in Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre (where flexible workspace will also be created).
The council is also launching the ‘Making Space – For Live Performance’ project – designed to expand the existing performing arts offer in scope, scale and quality. The development will be situated within a redeveloped Old Post Office and aspires to be a net-zero carbon enterprise.
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Council leaders say the funding will be used with a focus on sustainability – placing green recovery at the heart of town centre regeneration.
The money was secured by Oldham’s Town Deal Board – a group dedicated to developing the borough’s Investment Plan.
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Oldham is set to benefit from new funding for four key projects / Image: Wikimedia Commons
Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council and Cabinet Member for Economic and Social Reform, said: “As Oldhamers we know our town has fantastic potential, and we are pleased that the Government have endorsed our vision for the town centre.
“Oldham bid for a competitive £41m for five ambitious projects that will make the town centre a place that mixes retail, work, homes and leisure, and will help establish Oldham as the greenest borough in Greater Manchester. Securing funding for four out of five is a great result.
“We will now look at alternative routes to delivering the fifth project – a Minewater Heat Network which could convert water from flooded coal mines into energy to create an environmentally friendly power source for the town centre.”
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He added: “These projects will not only boost regeneration, they will also create much-needed jobs, apprenticeships, training and opportunities to support our recovery from the pandemic as sustainably as possible.”
The £24.4m Towns Fund funding follows Oldham’s successful bid for £10.7 million from the Future High Streets Fund – which will support other local regeneration projects such as making the town centre more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists, launching a new food hall in the Old Town Hall’s Egyptian Room, and opening a business hub for digital start-ups.
Peter Holbrook CBE, Chair of Oldham Town Deal Board and Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, said: “We’re delighted to have received this funding which will realise the ambition for change in Oldham.
“The Town Deal Board is made up of private and public sector partners who all share a combined vision for Oldham to be a town where business and enterprise can thrive and where people want to live, visit, relax and work. The projects within our bid will help us to deliver that shared goal.
“My thanks goes to the Board and everyone who has played their part in securing this important funding for the borough. We look forward to continuing to work together to bring the projects to life and help Oldham realise its potential.”
Oldham
Police shut down suspected brothel in Oldham following concerns raised by locals
Emily Sergeant
Police have shut down what they believe to have been a brothel in Oldham during the early hours of this morning.
Following concerns raised by the local community and years of gathering intelligence, officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Oldham Neighbourhood Team executed a warrant at a premises on Broadway in Oldham earlier this morning (14 October 2026), as they believed it to be operating as a brothel.
The warrant was executed as a result of the unrelated arrest of a man believed to be connected to the business.
When police seized a mobile phone from the man, examination of the device uncovered evidence which provided them with grounds to suspect the premises was being used for the control of prostitution.
During the operation this morning, a woman in her 40s was found and spoken to by officers. Once safeguarding measures were put in place by GMP, she was subsequently arrested on suspicion of immigration-related offences and possession of Class A drugs.
Police have shut down a suspected brothel in Oldham following concerns raised by locals / Credit: GMP
A man – who police believed to be the owner of the premises – was also arrested on suspicion of controlling prostitution for gain.
Officers seized a number of items from the address too, including cash and timesheets, as part of the ongoing investigation.
“The concerns surrounding this premises have been raised by local residents and businesses for a considerable period of time, and today’s action is the result of years of intelligence gathering and partnership working,” explained Police Sergeant Tom Layton.
“By securing a Closure Notice, we have been able to immediately disrupt the activities taking place at the premises and prevent further harm, nuisance and criminality while legal proceedings continue.
“Premises suspected of facilitating criminality can have a significant impact on those living and working nearby, causing nuisance and concern.
“We have listened to the concerns of the community and have taken robust action to address them.”
Neighbourhood Inspector Amie Whitehead added: “Our priority is always to identify and safeguard those who may be vulnerable while pursuing those suspected of criminal offences.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to target anyone who seeks to exploit others and to ensure Oldham remains a safe place for residents, businesses and visitors alike.”
Featured Image – GMP
Oldham
RSPCA appeals after French bulldog found dead in Oldham canal
Daisy Jackson
The RSPCA has launched an appeal for information after finding a French Bulldog dead in a canal in Oldham.
The dog was discovered by a dog walker earlier this week, floating in the middle of a canal in Chadderton.
The French Bulldog was wearing a pink-red lead and matching collar, which were wrapped around his head and front leg.
He did not have a microchip, but the charity is hoping his lead might help him to be identified.
The dog was found at around 12.20pm on Monday 5 October on a section of the canal near Middleton Road.
The harness and lead the French bulldog was found wearing in the canal. Credit: RSPCA
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Beth Fazackerley said: “This was an incredibly upsetting incident for the member of the public who made this distressing discovery, and it is heartbreaking that this poor dog was found in such circumstances.
“We are keen to establish what happened, and would urge anyone who was in the area around Middleton Road at midday, on October 5, and may have information about what happened, to get in touch.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 01919098.
The Manc -
9th June 2021 
