Oldham Council is celebrating the reopening of the borough’s high streets this week, while reminding residents to continue doing their bit to “stay safe”.
Now that ‘Stage Two’ in the government’s roadmap to lifting England’s current national lockdown has commenced and a raft of venues within the Greater Manchester borough are back open for business, Oldham Council is celebrating the past, present and future of the bustling town centre with the release of a new animation.
The animation – which has been funded by the UK government’s Reopening High Streets Safely Fund – has not only been launched to mark the reopening of businesses, but to also call on the borough’s residents to shop local and shop safe.
Local businesses are working hard to ensure they are COVID-secrure, so that visitors can enjoy the retail and outdoor hospitality opportunities on offer in a safe way.
Inspired by Tommyfield Market trader Marc Crossley of Crossley’s Fish – who has a lifelong history of trading in the town, with the family business having been in Oldham for 31 years – Oldham Council has worked with Delph-based award-winning animation production company, Periscope Studios, to create the short film.
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“It’s been a really difficult year for local businesses,” Marc admitted.
“We’ve fought incredibly hard to survive, but we feel like there’s now light at the end of the tunnel [and we can’t wait to welcome back more customers and see the town centre busy with shoppers and visitors again.
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“Please support your local high street – local businesses need your custom now more than ever”.
Speaking on the launch of the animation, Jo Perry – founder of Periscope Studios – said: “As Oldham locals, we have so many memories of the borough’s shops, bars, restaurants and markets – both as children and now as parents [so] we’re delighted to be working with Oldham Council to help local high streets reopen safely by highlighting current coronavirus protocols as told from the people it matters to most – the independent businesses”.
Co-founder, Paul Perry, added: “The animation was a real labour of love for us, and one which we hope resonates with Oldham residents”.
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“Like all Oldham residents, we’re excited to see high street businesses reopening following the forced closures during lockdown restrictions,” admitted Emma Barton, Director of Economy at Oldham Council.
“But we must remember that there is still a need to be vigilant as restrictions ease and to follow the current guidance”.
Oldham Council
She continued: “Businesses are working hard to ensure they are COVID secure so that you can be confident and reassured that it’s safe to shop throughout the borough [but] residents also have a part to play by being responsible and continuing to stick to safety measures when visiting our high streets, to help keep them trading and lower the rate of infections”.
You can find more information on the reopening of Oldham and COVID safety precautions via the Oldham Council website here.
Featured Image – Jody Hartley
Oldham
Government officially approves Eton’s plan to ‘remove barriers’ and open new FREE college in Oldham
Emily Sergeant
Eton’s plans to open a new free college in Oldham will officially go ahead following Government approval this week.
In case you need bringing up to speed a bit, plans for three new post-16 colleges – with the other two being in Dudley and Middlesborough – that are designed to help give young people who’ve done well in their GCSEs the opportunity to achieve the A-Levels they need to go to Oxbridge and other elite universities across the world were first announced back in March 2022, and then given the green light in August 2023.
Eton has partnered with Star Academies – which is said to be the highest-performing state school trust in the country – for the new colleges.
The colleges will aim to recruit ‘dynamic young people from deprived communities’, including in Oldham, and provide them with a ‘rigorous and rounded education’ that supports their ambitions to achieve places at ‘the very best universities’.
Oldham Council has welcomed the news that the new college – set to be named Eton Star Oldham – will go ahead, after the Government confirmed the conclusion of its national review into the proposals.
The decision means that Oldham will become one of the first places in the country to offer this new education model that combines high standards with strong partnerships and expanded opportunities for local young people.
The Government has officially approved Eton’s plan to open a new free college in Oldham / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Approval means pupils from every background will soon have access to the ‘very best’ opportunities.
Cllr Arooj Shah, who is the Leader of Oldham Coucil, said this is ‘great news’ for Oldham, adding: “Eton Star Oldham will give our young people access to life-changing opportunities, no matter their background or where they start in life.
“We have been clear throughout that this must be a college shaped with our young people, our parents and our communities.
“Now that the Government has confirmed it will go ahead, we will work closely with Eton College and Star Academies to make sure this delivers for Oldham’s children and opens doors for generations to come.”
Work will now begin on the detailed next steps – including design, delivery, and engagement with families and communities.
It’s also been confirmed that the college will be built on the current Tommyfield Market car park site in Oldham town centre.
Featured Image – Oldham Council
Oldham
Oldham police issue dispersal order following ‘repeat incidents’ of disorder in town centre
Emily Sergeant
A dispersal order has been issued in Oldham following ‘repeat incidents’ of disorder between groups of youths.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that it has implemented a Section 35 dispersal order and additional Section 60 ‘stop and search’ powers in Oldham following repeat incidents of disorder between groups of youths in the town centre.
The measures were introduced yesterday afternoon (9 December) after reports of disorder came into police, which also followed similar incidents seen earlier this and last week.
So far, five arrests have been made in connection with the incidents – two for violent disorder, and three for possession of offensive weapons.
A Section 35 dispersal order is in effect for 48 hours until 1:25pm this Thursday (11 December), and the Section 60 is in effect for an initial 24 hours until 1:25pm today.
#UPDATE | We have implemented a Section 35 dispersal order and a Section 60 stop and search powers in Oldham Town Centre today at 1:25pm.
The measures will remain in place for 48 hours for the S.35 and for 24 hours for the S.60 following disorder.
The dispersal order allows officers to exclude a person, or people, from an area for up to 48 hours through a written notice, while the Section 60 authority grants officers extended powers to stop and search individuals within the area.
Neighbourhood officers will maintain a high-visibility presence in the area and will use these powers where necessary to ‘keep the public safe’.
“These measures are in place to prevent further disorder and ensure the safety of those living, working, and visiting Oldham town centre,” commented Inspector Amie Whitehead, who is the Neighbourhood Inspector for Oldham South & West.
“We will not tolerate antisocial behaviour and will take robust action against anyone involved.
“These powers are crucial to preventing any further offences from taking place. If you have any concerns or any information, then please speak to those officers who are there to help.”
The Manc -
13th April 2021 
