Council admits signs clanger

The new sign outside Chadderton Town Hall.

A NEW Chadderton Town Hall sign, which has attracted a storm of criticism, was put up without permission

And now council bosses have bowed to a backlash and vowed to change it.

The picturesque building became Oldham’s register office last year after a £300,000 revamp and also houses services such as environmental health, community safety, catering and cleaning.

It is in a conservation zone in Middleton Road and several new signs were commissioned in August to help direct people.

They went up last week as part of Oldham Council rebranding, leaving people outraged. Angry Chadderton South councillor David Hibbert demanded that the two at the front be removed and said: “They are far too big and inappropriate for the site. They look like they should be at Arkwright Street, at the rubbish dump.”

He believed they would spoil wedding photographs and obscure people’s view of the annual Remembrance Service held in the town hall gardens.

In a letter to Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, he said: “An important and significant part of Chadderton’s heritage has been violated by the poor quality of these installations.

“The signs are crude, they are coarse, and they are a crass indication of the lack of concern that you hold for the pride with which we regard our town and its history.”

The town hall was built in 1913 and was the setting for the 1996 screen wedding of “Coronation Street” barmaid Raquel, played by Oldham actress Sarah Lancashire.

Michael Lawson, secretary of Chadderton Historical Society said the large sign at the front was unnecessary while the smaller one underneath should be discrete.

He fumed: “It is not a pickle factory — everybody knows it is the town hall just by looking at it. It is a huge thing, totally inappropriate, and it really detracts from a lovely building.”

They were also branded an eyesore by Chadderton North councillor Philip Rogers.

Geoff Willerton, head of planning services, confirmed that the large sign was put up without advertising consent while the smaller signs do not need this. They are now being changed following complaints.

Councillor Alcock said: “We have decided to remove the main sign together with the supporting poles and relocate it on to the metal railings below.

“Furthermore, the sign providing directions to the reception and visitor parking will be removed and replaced with a smaller sign on the brick pillar adjacent to the war memorial area.”