It’s been a long time coming, but plans have now been approved for a new £16 million arts and heritage centre in Oldham.
The new facility is set to “showcase the story” of the town’s past.
In what marks the third phase of an over two-decade transformation plan to establish a what will be a ‘cultural quarter’ in the town centre, plans have been approved to develop the Greater Manchester town’s former library and art gallery building on Union Street.
It comes after plans to create the centre were previously approved in 2018 – but subsequent surveys eventually showed extra alterations to the building were required.
A £27 millon project to relocate the Coliseum theatre was scrapped in 2018.
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But now, according the Oldham Council and the BBC, the Grade II-listed building – which was built all the way back in 1883 – will house the town’s museum, archives, local studies and store in one location.
The new facility is set to “showcase the story” of the town’s past. / Credit: Oldham Council
It will focus on Oldham’s role in the cotton industry to the present day.
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The Local Democracy Reporting Service said a new application for the visionary £16 million centre refurbishment was submitted to create a “safe, secure, usable shell” for the historic Union Street building, all before it was fully fitted out.
“It’s about securing the efficient use of the building, and the extent of the changes does amount to public benefit,” a spokesperson for Oldham Council said.
Speaking on the prospect of the centre’s transformation back in 2018, and the importance of arts and culture in Oldham, Cllr Sean Fielding added: “Culture is something that will set Oldham apart from other towns.
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“[It] makes us a place that people want to visit and it is still very much part of the offer that we want to build in Oldham town centre and it’s very important.”
Featured Image – Oldham Council
Oldham
The very best ice cream and frozen yoghurt places around Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
We know it’s not often sunny out in these parts to enjoy the proper summery joy of lapping up lots of ice cream, but there are still bloody wonderful places to get it here in Greater Manchester – and we know some of the best.
Of course, it always hits different when the sun does come out.
It doesn’t matter if you prefer it chock-full of chocolate chips and coffee, mouth-frothingly fruity sweet, you’re in your pistachio phase or cannot get past the raspberry ripple, there are plenty of places to get whatever you’re after.
Be it Manchester city centre or beyond, we do ice cream pretty darn well for a place that basically rains for two-thirds of the year.
15 top ice cream, soft serve and fro-yo places around Manchester
In no particular order, by the way, because we already hate playing favourites and all those serve our infinitely sweet tooth are created equal.
1. Grandpa Greene’s – Oldham
First up, there are few other fitting enough places to start than the Diggle Lock’s legendary Grandpa Greene’s, which serves not just some of the best desserts we’ve EVER had but stunning, homemade ice-cream that we here at The Manc have even helped make in the past.
In fact, this place has been such a hit in the area that they’ve gone on to open their own bistro and, unsurprisingly, it’s proved just as impressive and popular.
2. Midnight Brownie Club – Ashton-under-Lyne
Heading over to Tameside now, Midnight Brownie Club is one to indulge at any time if you ask us, especially if you treat yourself to one of their sumptuous sundaes, which you can top with everything from kunafa, Lotus Biscoff crumble, raspberry ripple and more.
You can go wrong with those fudgey little chocolate squares, of course, and they obviously do lots of different stuff besides just ice cream and their namesake brownies, so our own recommendation is that you give it a try sooner rather than later.
From Oldham over to the borough of Bolton, and native favourite, Milk Maids, whose award-winning dairy farming expertise has seen them garner an iconic status among locals, and it’s no wonder.
We’ve been on to this place in Over Hulton for ages, but now they’re approaching a decade of serving their oh-so-sweet scoops, we can’t pretend to take even the remotest bit of credit. Their reputation precedes them and is about as long-standing as their lines.
4. Hello Oriental – Oxford Road Corridor
This one might come as a surprise, but if you’re in the market for some really good soft serve, subterranean pan-Asian food hall Hello Oriental just so happens to have it on offer.
Available in tubs or even served on top of a cute little animal-shaped waffle cone hybrids (there’s even a little chocolate surprise inside), they’re not just smooth and silky, they’re also adorable.
In at number four is arguably the ice cream and dessert parlour with the very best name in Manchester, and that’s Big Licks, which recently relocated from Liverpool Road over in Castlefield to Printworks. Now positioned in a much more central location, it’s no surprise that the spot has seen an increase in queuing.
You’ll find pretty much every combo you could ask for here; they also do some pretty banging burgers if you fancy eating both tea and afters here. We’re big fans of their ice cream sandwiches, as well.
As a native Stopfordian myself, my grandma only ever called dessert a ‘sweet’ or ‘pudding’, regardless of what it was, but regardless of what you call it around your way/in your family, we have a Stopfordian ice cream spot that you need to visit.
Macari’s Gelateria opened up over in Heaton Moor back in 2023, and it’s quickly grown a passionate cult following – ourselves included. From their punchy and/or fruity flavours, to the super soft texture that their perfectly flaky wafers just about hold up to, it’s pretty perfect. Remember the name.
Credit: The Manc Group
7. Lazy Sundae – Manchester Arndale
We’re past the halfway mark now, and if you’re not already feeling a bit sluggish after this sugary feast for your eyes, you almost certainly will after looking at the super indulgent Lazy Sundae, who do everything from bubble tea and creative Korean desserts to standard ice cream cones.
But make no mistake, there’s nothing plain or basic about this place: it’s remained one of the best places for ice cream in Manchester, and while we may have said goodbye to their OG spot in NQ back in January 2025, the Arndale parlour now serves as the perfect flagship location.
Sticking with the city centre and whipping our way back to NQ (pun very much intended), we’ve got the brilliant Black Milk up next, who we confess most regularly visit for a proper good milkshake, but they do shine when it comes to pretty much anything sugary, to be honest.
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Ice cream-wise, you can’t go wrong with their cookies and cream sundae, and their special St. Patrick’s Guinness gelato is still one of the most unique desserts we’ve ever had. Speaking of gelato…
Heading out to Trafford now, and the ever-growing foodie scene in Sale, their increasingly well-known Gelato Creamery® store has been making waves for some time now, and by waves, we mean perfectly swirled scoops of ice cream’s somewhat healthier but still just as tasty Italian cousin.
They have a more central pod at Jacuna Kitchen over in Ardwick on the outskirts of the city centre, but really do recommend visiting their shop on School Road for a lesson on what proper good gelato should taste like.
Another Stopfordian stop on this ice cream tour comes in the form of All Things Nice, who couldn’t be more appropriately named if they tried – both when it comes to the scran and the service.
Over in the hilly village of Marple, this lovely little cafe on Market Street is known for all manner of bakes, brunch plates, pastries, and a fair few sweet treats, including their ice cream, which is just about as delicious as everything else on the menu. No surprise here.
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Credit: The Manc
11. Wazuzhi – Chinatown
Here’s another one that might surprise people: yes, the affordable Manchester city centre favourite and Chinatown staple formerly known as Wasabi isn’t just great at the savoury side of things; they also have some lovely desserts, too.
Specifically, they do ‘shaved ice’ cups, which come in a variety of flavours, many of which are super fruity and fresh, but we do heartily reccommend coming for the sushi first and this for afters.
Since we’re mixing things up a bit, now it’s time to throw some ‘fro-yo’ into the conversation, and if you haven’t tried MAST over on King Street West – that little backstreet just off Deansgate and around the corner from Crazy Pedros – you’re really to correct that oversight.
There’s something about this one that feels like a proper treat whilst also balancing that sugar content, thanks to the healthier ice cream alternative, as you still get that fix from toppings like Smarties, crushed Oreos, classic candy lovehearts and tonnes more. Pretty as a picture.
13. Frurt – Various
Sticking with the frozen yoghurt theme, it’d be foolish to overlook the kings of the local game, as this may be a franchise, but it started right here back in 2010 with husband-and-wife team, Syed and Shaza Hassan, and they’ve only got bigger and better, still offering healthy, dairy and gluten-free cups.
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You can find them in the following locations: the city centre (a pair of them), Stockport, Sale, on Bury New Road, Bolton, Oldham, not to mention soon the Trafford Centre and beyond Greater Manchester.
The penultimate blood sugar pincher is the famous Get Baked, which barely even turned the key to unlock the doors before they had a crowd waiting outside the shop window of their first permanent Manchester location.
Whether you’re three for big cookies, the famous Matilda-inspired ‘Bertha’ cake or their free-flowing soft-serve that is easier to drink than water – we know we have a problem, we’re working on it – you won’t be disappointed, no matter how long you wait.
Credit: The Manc
15. Baby Mayhem – Ancoats
Last but certainly not least of the latest newcomers to the Manc dessert scene, and while it may not be strictly just an ice cream parlour, it is one of the best places for anyone who is powerless to resist their cravings for things fresh, cold, filled, fried and covered in sugar.
Baby Mayhem is where ice cream and doughnuts collide in one superior pudding. How does a ‘donut ice cream sandwich’ sound? Incredible? We thought so… It’s popped in the old Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria site and is already following in its footsteps of filling locals’ bellies to the max.
That should just about do you for now, and if this list wasn’t sickly enough, don’t you worry…
You best believe we’ll be going around all around Greater Manchester in search of more ice cream and the best places that do it whenever the sun is out.
So, just keep your eyes peeled for when we inevitably update this one, because there’s always room for one more scoop.
Well, speaking of…
Honourable mention
Take issue with this if you want, but any place that offers a free ice cream sandwich on your birthday deserves to be on the list if you ask us, so here’s our nod to the wonderful Nell’s.
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Available in dulce de leche, cherry pie, cookie dough and, of course, that birthday cake flavour – not to mention various one-off specials through the year – nothing quite compares to a slice and one of these sweet little frozen sandos.
The ‘truly distinguished’ Grade II-listed house on the market for under £1m in the Greater Manchester countryside
Emily Sergeant
A Grade II-listed detached stone residence is on the market in one of Greater Manchester’s most sought-after rural villages.
And the best bit? It’s actually currently being listed at just under the £1 million mark.
Now, despite this being a little cheaper than others properties we feature, it goes without saying that the vast majority of us won’t have this kind of money just sitting in bank accounts right now… but if like us, you’ve got no shame in admitting you love looking at houses you can’t afford in places you’ll probably never live, then allow us to introduce you to this absolute beauty.
This is Springwood House – an exceptional Grade II-listed four-bedroom detached family home that estate agents describe as being ‘truly distinguished’.
This is Springwood House / Credit: West Riding
Nestled in the heart of Delph village – which is one of Saddleworth’s best-loved residential areas, thanks to being within easy reaching distance of a wide range of amenities, good local schools, transport links, and of course, countryside – one of the most noticeable things about this property is just how many original features there are.
We’re talking original Victorian tiles, solid oak floors, and preserved period architrave and archway, sash windows, open fireplaces in nearly every room… the list goes on.
The property is lucky to boast several spacious reception rooms, dining room spaces, a bespoke kitchen that’s been thoughtfully designed to complement the property’s heritage with a convenient utility room, and even well-kept cellars.
The ‘truly distinguished’ Grade II-listed house is on the market for under £1m / Credit: West Riding
Once you ascend the beautiful staircase, you’ll find four generously proportioned bedrooms.
Two of the bedrooms benefit from their own ensuites, three retain original fireplaces, and all enjoy sash windows, fitted wardrobes or storage cupboards, and captivating views over the surrounding countryside.
There’s also two bathrooms – one featuring a freestanding bath and separate shower, and the other offering a shower over bath with exposed beams.
It’s nestled in the picturesque Saddleworth village of Delph, with countryside surrounds / Credit: West Riding
And, of course, just as you’d expect in a picturesque neighbourhood like this one, Springwood House is just as stunning outside as it is on the inside.
Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, the property offers three separate seating areas positioned to enjoy the sun throughout the day, enhanced by the relaxing sound of the nearby river and pond, all set against the backdrop of the Saddleworth countryside.
The property also boasts ample off-road parking for multiple vehicles, and a substantial garage too.
Springwood House is currently on the market with Uppermill-based independent estate agents, West Riding, for and if you fancy taking a closer look, then you can contact the agents to arrange a viewing.
Emily Sergeant -
16th November 2021 
