Latics centre is hub of kindness

Simon Brooke at the Oldham Event Centre

The community-embracing Oldham Event Centre has become a quiet hub for achieving good deeds.

Government restrictions cost the business at the Joe Royle stand in Boundary Park thousands of pounds in cancelled and postponed events.

But now Simon Brooke, who took over management of  the business last May, said: “I offered all of our facilities to the Royal Oldham Hospital to make use of how they wish including the function suite, meetings rooms and kitchens.

“One of our regular training partners spent last week training NHS staff that are being deployed immediately into the hospital.

“We've also removed all pay restrictions on the car parks we own which are used by the hospital during weekdays."

Mr Brooke - one half of the Chronicle's 'All things Latics' podcast team -  has overseen a large turnaround in the business, a significant increase in sales and welcomed changes to the site.

In addition, he has spearheaded helping charities including Maggies with fundraising and free use of facilities at the launch of their Culture Crawl fundraising walk, supporting Prostate Cancer, Dr Kershaw's and Ibrahim Yousaf in his fundraising efforts.

“We also provide free classrooms for the OAFC Academy and free meeting space for the Oldham Athletic Community Trust," Mr Brooke said.

“On a separate note, we donated three fridges and a freezer to the Oldham Foodbank to help them set up three new satellite outlets around the town. 

"Our remaining fresh stock is also being donated.

“We had been planning to launch a ready-meal and food box service, but the current Government restrictions have unfortunately prevented us doing so.

"The team at OEC wanted to help anyway we could, so it made sense to offer the facility to the hospital for their use during this emergency especially as we're just over the road.

“We'll get through this by pulling together," he added.

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