Town set to lose housing office

SHAW housing office is the latest to close next week — and could become the new home for the parish council.

It will shut for good on August 14 as part of a shake-up by First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO), which manages the borough’s council houses.

Bosses say that customers prefer to contact the organisation by phone.

FCHO is focusing on developing its call centre and will centralise services at its headquarters in Medtia Square, Oldham.

Surgeries will be held at Crompton Library on Thursdays from 9.30 to 11am for those that want face-to-face contact. Area housing teams will also remain.

Chadderton and Sholver housing offices have already closed and Holts Village and Holt Street in Greenacres are under review.

FCHO Chief executive Hugh Broadbent said: “Customers want just one telephone number and FCHO staff out and about in the community. That’s what they want and will get.”

Shaw and Crompton Parish Council is on the hunt for new premises and the Kershaw Street building is on its list of potential sites.

Councillors used to occupy Cockcroft Hall but the building was demolished to make way for Shaw’s new Children’s Centre.

Meetings are currently held at St Paul’s Church, Rochdale Road, while the parish council has an office in High Street.

Clerk Ray Hughes said: “Kershaw Street is on the list of places to look at to see if it’s suitable but it’s no stronger a possibility than that.”