Facelift planned for town centre

Ideas to get funding into the town centre now that the Metrolink trams will run into the retail area will be discussed this week.

Councillors want to boost the development of land and property with a Town Centre Investment Strategy.

It is part of a draft Town Centre Action Plan by the council and Town Centre Partnership which will be finalised next month.

The aim is to improve the family-orientated town centre to take full advantage of regeneration opportunities. If the plans are approved at Wednesday’s Cabinet, a group will be set up to guide investment strategy and put it into practice.

The council says any regeneration will require significant public and private investment, and will pump-prime the plan with £350,000 to help bring forward development opportunities and attract new partners. Councillor Mohib Uddin, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The arrival of Metrolink heralds a unique opportunity to stimulate the regeneration of Oldham Town Centre and to build further upon our strong and successful shopping core.

“The council is committed to developing the attractiveness of the town centre for families and making Oldham an address of choice.

“Already we are working on proposals to make the former Town Hall an attractive development proposition.

“And we are seeking partners to help improve the leisure provision across the whole of the borough and the town centre.”