Chapel of the future

Oldham Town Centre Partnership
Plans to convert the first independently-built Methodist church into a conference centre are set to get underway.

The regeneration of George Street Chapel, co-ordinated by Age Concern Oldham, has been spurred by donations of £1million from the English Heritage and £130,000 from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Trust Fund, with building work set to start in August.

The project is one of only three so far to benefit from the Lloyd Webber fund. The money will be used to restore one of the chapel’s original and most poignant features — the organ — which was installed when the chapel opened in 1815.

The restored Grade II-listed building could be used as a venue for weddings and functions.

Yvonne Lee, chief executive of Age Concern Oldham, said: “It has taken us six years to get to this point.

“It is a fascinating project, and we want to be able to pass this historical building on to the families and children of Oldham.”