Former mill in Chadderton could be turned into hotel and co-working space

A novel new project could see an old mill building in Chadderton spruced up into a new ‘co-working’ hotel.

Ram Mill has already been part-renovated, with a business park on its lower levels and several vacant floors above. 

But a new plan by Ram Mill LLP would see the former cotton mill’s second, third and fourth floors turned into 75 double hotel bedrooms and 105 flexible aparthotel units.

A proposal submitted to the town hall includes dedicated ‘flexible work areas’ and common spaces. 

Guests would have access to already existing facilities at the historic site, which includes a gym and business community. 

The mill on Gordon Street is surrounded mostly by commercial units and backs onto a wastewater treatment plant plant.

A planning statement by P.Land Development Consultants Ltd claims the mixture of luxury, but compact rooms and larger aparthotel suites ‘will provide an attraction not just for employees/clients of the company’s currently in occupation in Ram Mill, but also for who may either be working or visiting for tourism/leisure purposes’. 

The rooms will be suitable for a mix of family stays and individuals, according to planning documents. 

The application is currently for outline planning permission, meaning the developers want to see if the project would be acceptable ‘in principle’ before providing a more detailed application in future. 

The renovation would mark ‘Phase Two’ of the mill’s transformation, which has already succeeded in bringing 37 new companies to the area ‘which are materially contributing to the local economy’. 

The building is known as a local ‘landmark’, with a unique tower with a domed zinc roof that can be recognised in the town’s skyline from quite a distance.

First established in 1904, the site was in use as a site for textile production up until 2006, according to the planning documents. 

But as the cotton industry declined, so did the physical state of the building.

It was eventually flogged off and sporadically used for warehousing, leading to further decline. 

In 2021, Oldham Council described the mill as ‘under threat’ of complete deterioration, and backed its development for commercial uses. 

P.Land Development Consultants Ltd said: “The applicants are confident this will complete the refurbishment/regeneration of the building, create a locally significant commercial node, and provide an illustration of how the flexible and innovative use of this substantial and locally significant structure can be used and provide significant local public benefit.” 

The mill has its own car park and is within walking distance of several bus routes.

No objections have been received to the application so far.

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