The regeneration of Oldham town centre has received a £10.7 million funding boost, after the council's bid to the Future High Streets Fund has proved successful.
The authority say the money will support a number of projects which are all set to transform Oldham for residents, visitors and workers and support the borough's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
They include Accessible Oldham – a scheme to make travel easier, safer and more enjoyable around the town centre, especially for pedestrians and cyclists.
A new public realm space will be created on Henshaw Street incorporating trees, seating, cycle parking and street art.
The lower end of Lord Street and High Street will also be pedestrianised to better connect the bus station and the town centre, while the area will also be spruced up to make it cleaner and greener.
The funding will also help to launch the food hall in the Old Town Hall’s Egyptian Room featuring six casual dining-style food and drink concessions and a central dining space. Catering for around 200 people, it will offer both indoor and outdoor seating including a large covered al-fresco dining area on Parliament Square.
There will also be the creation of a new business hub for digital start-ups in the town centre, which the council say will boost opportunities for entrepreneurs, create jobs and pave the way for a future-focussed Oldham.
Council Leader, Cllr Arooj Shah, said: “Oldham Town Centre is undergoing a really exciting transformation as part of our Creating a Better Place programme and there’s a lot to look forward to.
“We’re delighted to have secured this money for our borough which will help us to deliver many things our residents tell us they want to see – better high streets, clean and green streets, heritage buildings brought back into use and opportunities for new work and new business.
“Work will start over the summer and we look forward to seeing each project feed into our wider vision and aspirations for Oldham to be a thriving borough where everyone can get on in life.”
The Future High Streets Fund aims to renew and reshape town centres and high streets in a way that drives growth, improves experience and ensures future sustainability.
To further drive regeneration, the council say it is also bidding for £41 million as part of the government’s Towns Fund to support five regeneration projects in the town centre: Northern Roots, a minewater heat network, a new performance space, the relocation of Tommyfield Market into Spindles and the development of flexible workspace within Spindles.
The Accessible Oldham proposals will also soon bring the first CYCLOPS junction to the borough, at Egerton Street/St Mary’s Way - a key route into the town centre. The design separates people travelling on foot and by bike from motor traffic, reducing the possibility of collisions or conflict.
The £2.5 million junction is being funded through The Mayor’s Challenge Fund (MCF), which aims to kickstart the delivery of Chris Boardman’s vision for Greater Manchester to become a city region where walking and cycling are the natural choices for shorter journeys and the Bee Network - which aims to create the UK’s largest cycling and walking network.
MCF will also support many other cycling and walking improvements across the town centre, alongside Growth Deal Funding from the Northern Powerhouse for other highway and public realm works.
Cllr Shah added: “Reducing vehicle journeys is essential if we are to cut carbon emissions and protect our planet – so we’re working hard to make it as easy and safe as possible for people to walk and cycle.
“We’re really proud to be part of the Bee Network and to develop schemes which support our ambitions to becoming the greenest borough in Greater Manchester.
“Oldham was founded on innovation, and we will do everything in our power to build on that legacy, level up our borough and deliver a 21st century town centre.”
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