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Credit crunch hits town centre plans
Reporter: Jennifer Hollamby
Date online: 28 January 2009
AMBITIOUS plans for a new Oldham town centre have temporarily died a death as the economic downturn takes its toll.
A number of masterplans to transform the town centre and surrounding areas have been unveiled in recent years.
Some proposals, including moves to create an integrated health centre, plans to redevelop the Oldham College site and create a new regional science centre at the Sixth Form college, have got off to flying start.
But a number of apartment complexes around Union Street are lying empty, with other yet to be built as developers have felt the full force of recession.
Regeneration bosses also confirmed that plans for the Oldham Coliseum to relocate to the site of the old town hall were on hold, as the council and the theatre look to secure more investment to finance the move.
Jon Studholme, team leader for the town centre in the regeneration, also confirmed that the creation of family-friendly entertainment facilities, including a cinema and family restaurants, are not economically viable in the current climate.
And it looks like the opening of a new Marks and Spencer store in the town is even further away.
Mr Studholme told Overview and Scrutiny Commission councillors last night that a lot of work could be taking place on the masterplan even as developers shy away from investment.
He said: “We got to the stage with some of the plans where we were keen to get moving with them and now they have temporarily wound down.
“Now it’s time to change tack again, go back to the masterplan and take the opportunity to refine it and add more weight to our ideas, so that we are in a position to hit the ground running when the cash starts flowing again.”
He said that the council could re-assess and add to their plans with market research and that they will continue to talk to potential investors and partners.
He added that there were still things the council could do in the meantime to improve the image of the town, including using greenery in empty spaces and targeting grot spots.”
Comments
The town centre has been a disgrace for many years; all you see is dirty fast-food places that don’t open half the time, footpaths that equal something in the third world and the constant menace of hooligans. Ashton town centre beats Oldham every time.
More broken plans. Broken words. Another broken vision. Broken apartments. Broken Borough. I can't wait to see the broken brains hit the ground running - broken legs permitting - of course
No cash, no plans, no ideas, no developers, no investment, no inspiration. Strikes me, Mr Studholme has no job and is desperately scraping the bottom of the barrel to justify his 'position' and continue in a job with no prospects. Perhaps he should hit the ground running. Greenery in empty spaces is a good idea. What about the empty spaces between the ears of our talentless councillors. Most would perform better with a head full of privets.
It's all very well to keep pushing the education plans, but there are other issues which affect people other than students. The lack of entertainment in Oldham is appalling! No wonder people frequent Yorkshire St. and get off their face.Why are there no cinemas,bowling alleys or restaurants where people can do things other than drink? Other nearby towns have them!But I suppose they also have councils with foresight and concern for their taxpayers quality of life!
the bowling alley and cinema complex promised on union st where supposed to be a replacement for the roxy when it was demolished.
thats not going to happen now so we've beenlet down yet again!
Have Your Say
over the last 20 years there has been so many proposed plans to improve the town centre!
most of which have ever happened.
the ones that have never lived up to their promises too!
remember the cinema and bowling complex on the site that sainsburys now occupy!!
or the extension to the town square incorporating the old town hall!
all never happened!
By fedupoldhamer @ 28/01/2009 14:27:14