Plans to make Oldham nightlife the "talk of the region"

Oldham at night

The perception of night life in Oldham being 'unsafe' needs changing according to the leader of the Council.

Sean Fielding says in recent years the town has got a bad press when it comes to late night trouble and violence - but he claims that's changed now.

He's been speaking to the Oldham Chronicle and explaining how he wants to find something unique that brings people from outside the area in to the town to spend money after hours.

Mr Fielding wants to make the town a place that is open past 5pm which he says will bring a massive boost to the towns economy.

As part of his plans he's launched the Oldham Town Centre night time economy task force, among other things their focus will be on attracting more unique and interesting bars to boost the choice on offer for people to keep them in town for longer.

• READ MORE ABOUT TASK FORCE

Cllr Fielding said: "I've been out for a meal in Oldham with my family, which it is possible to do now, we have some real gems in terms of restaurants were you can have something good to eat, but of course towards the end of the night we said where are we going to go next. And in terms of where you can continue on to, in terms of the kind of bars you have on offer in Oldham, I don't think we have that much of a broader selection."

"We're quite restricted on where you can go for a drink after you've had something nice to eat and we need to attract more pubs and bars which will keep people here for longer than 40 minutes."

The leader added: "We have a really strong offering around culture particulary around the theatre and gallery and the herritage centre that's progressing now. We also have a really strong offering in terms of local independent restaurants."

Cllr Fielding also revealed to the Oldham Chronicle he wants to engage the BME community who he believes can play a major part in attracting people to the town.

He said: "The large BME community we have in Oldham really has something different to offer that will set us apart from anywhere else. You can come to Oldham and get something different compared to what you can get from anywhere else."