Oldham explores partnership opportunities for town centre regeneration

Oldham Council is searching for a Master Developer Private Sector Partner (PSP) to help develop plans to revitalise Oldham town centre.

PSP’s with the financial means, skills, experience and resources to assist the council in achieving its aims for the 15-year scheme have been invited to register their interest.

2,000 new homes could potentially be built, as part of the £350-£550m regeneration project, on eight council-owned sites, including Oldham Civic Centre.

Oldham Council is set to be relocated from this location to the redeveloped Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre, freeing up space for approximately 400-600 new apartments.

Oldham Council Leader Amanda Chadderton said: ‘Oldham Council is already well on its way to transforming the town centre – and there is a real opportunity to work with us and play a key role in the future of our fantastic borough.

‘We’ve got a proven track record for delivering ambitious regeneration projects, including our award-winning Old Town Hall. We also have many projects well underway – all of which will make Oldham a more attractive place to live, visit and work.

‘We want to work with a partner who shares our drive and vision for Oldham – the opportunity is there, and we want you to be a part of it.’

Another site expected to be transformed is Oldham Magistrates’ Court where it’s thought 125-225 apartments could be created, while Oldham Leisure Centre, opposite the site for a proposed new park, could hold 175-250 apartments.

Five other sites across the town centre are also being considered, including Tommyfield Market site which would relocated to Spindles Shopping Centre, unlocking land for development alongside the new Jubilee Park.

Oldham Council have started work several other projects, such as revitalising the Old Library, building a new theatre in listed buildings and transforming Spindles into a multi-use centre for retail, co-working space, events space, arts and heritage archive and new market.

A Development Prospectus has been created, outlining the project’s strategic vision of redefining the retail core, upgrading the night time economy and providing high quality town centre housing.

In related news, Manchester City Council has secured more than £30m funding to complete the final phase of a 20-year ongoing regeneration project in Ancoats.

Photo by Oldham Council