Let’s save our town hall!

Your views on our revealing pictures of the shocking state of the town’s historic landmark
WHAT a dreadful shame that the old town hall has been left in that state for so many years.

I painted the front doors on the building about three or four years ago and, obviously, had a set of keys.

While we were doing the doors my curiosity got the better of me and I went for a nosey.

I wandered as far down as the old court room and what a beautiful room that was.

I could picture people sitting in there.

I also felt at the time that any work that would be done would be a long drawn out affair because of the state it has been left in and how much work would be needed to restore the building to its former prime.

I remember going in to some of the rooms and seeing families of pigeons and seeing how much damage they had created with their droppings. The floors were also damaged through water seeping through the roof.

The architecture was amazing, with royal-looking doors and door frames,the big staircase sweeping through the centre of the foyer, and the cornices running around the ceiling were something like I had never seen before.

It would be such a shame to let this building go to waste. The town needs something like this to keep its history going.

NEIL HURST




IS it possible to form some kind of trust group or “Friends of the town” group that perhaps would be eligible for lottery funding or grants?



It would be great to see it put to use as a theatre or cinema or other family entertainment as there is none in Oldham.

We must ask why this building as been allowed to fall in to such disrepair? Does the council not monitor its old empty buildings?

This deterioration did not happen overnight. The councils of the past should be ashamed of themselves.

MARTIN and SUE O’DRISCOLL




THIS building is part of our heritage, and it’s a must that we save it at all cost, no matter what that may be.



People will say this is wrong but 1p on council tax would go a long way towards the reconstruction of this fantastic building.

I firmly believe the people Oldham would be very sad to see the inside of it — let alone the total demise.

As a small town we have allowed far too many building to go to ruin — it is a total disgrace,

Now what to do with it? First of all make certain that the Lib-Dems don’t get their hands on it as I believe they would not hesitate but to demolish the building, rather than spend any of our money.

STEWART HARWOOD, Royton




WITHOUT any shadow of a doubt, Oldham Council should do everything possible to protect an important piece of this town’s heritage.



However, the pictures supporting last night’s report have only demonstrated how neglectful this council is — the town hall should be one of Oldham’s finest assets. Howard Sykes said: “We need to ask people which bits are really precious”. Please tell Councillor Sykes — all of them!

Shame on Oldham Council.

NICK SUMMERSCALES




LET’S keep the front of the old town hall, the side on Greaves Street and the rear on Firth Street, and then drop the rest.



I’m sure with the car park on Clegg Street that’s one prime piece of real estate — hello M&S? Just hoping and wishing.

TONY GREENWOOD




I SAY save it — it’s worth it.



S HILTON