Getting on with our lives again...

OLDHAM RIOTS: 10years on
A DECADE on, have the public’s perceptions of the town changed and have lessons been learnt? Reporter Lewis Jones took to the streets with photographer Anthony Miller to canvas opinion.


Sisters Sammy and Vicky Kerwin think there have been improvements.


Sammy, (25), said: “People do get on more, especially in the town centre. In the pubs and clubs people are more integrated.”

Thirty-year-old Vicky said: “It was hectic at the time, there was a lot of gossip and rumours going around.

“It’s very hard to change people’s opinions, thoughts and beliefs and I don’t think it will be forgotten.

“Things have changed though since then.”

Lesley Goodhead, (33), who lives and works in Chadderton, said: “People should be over it all, I thought it was silly. We’re a multiracial society and we should treat everyone the same.”

Jim and Margaret Mellor, from Royton, welcome the changes a decade has brought.

Jim, (67), said: “I think it has got better since then, people are more tolerant with each other. I think it was an awakening, it had been brewing and it all boiled over.

“Now you can go into Alexandra Park and see different groups socialising together. Oldham had a bad name but that has changed.”

But 46-year-old Mike Green, from Royton, said: “Things are not moving on, the same issues are there but they are being hidden and swept under the carpet. The issues will always be here.” However, Mohosin Chowdhury (43) couldn’t disagree more. He said: “I’ve lived in Oldham for 12 years and things have greatly improved, people have come together, regardless of race.

“People treat each other on a personal level rather than a racial one and that is the way forward.

“The problems are not racial now, the problem for many people is finding a job.

“Oldham has a great future ahead of it.”

Royton resident Anthony McNiff (72) said: “It all started from one fight and escalated from there. Since then I think young people have integrated, it’s better in the town and there is not as much violence.”

Others were a little more sceptical.

Stuart and Phyllis Lord, from Waterhead, say there is still work to be done in the town.

“I don’t think there has been a shift in perception, I think it has been put to one side,” said Stuart, aged 64. “There are still divided areas, and the memory will take a long while to heal. Positive work is being done though with the young.”

Imran Khan (35), from Coppice, said: “People have realised that it is not worth it and that they will end up in prison for their behaviour. People were coming into the town to fight, now people have moved away and there is the message that it won’t be tolerated.

“There may be the odd small pocket of problems but nothing like on the scale of 10 years ago. We’ve changed for the better.”