We’ve got it made in Oldham

Council leader Jim McMahon has rubbished a damning new poll that ranks Oldham as the country’s sixth unhappiest place to live.

The borough is the only northern town to make the controversial top 10 of doom published by estate agents Rightmove, which surveyed 25,349 residents nationwide.

Oldham was the lowest-ranking town orcity for property value, amenities and recreation and scored below the national average for safety and neighbourliness in the survey, based on a dozen factors.

Councillor McMahon said: “This survey scores Oldham below the national average for neighbourliness. That doesn’t tally with my experience of community spirit here. It also doesn’t reflect a borough that boasts the highest rates of selfless volunteering activity in the country.

“It says we are the lowest in the country for recreation and amenities. Can that really be right when a quarter of our borough lies within the Peak District national park — and it also has seven excellent and well-used Green Flag parks?

“I acknowledge that the survey includes take-home pay, property prices and health factors — and it is fair to say there are historic issues which will take time to change. But I also do wonder what genuine care was taken to ensure those questioned were an accurate sample.

“I’m not saying Oldham is perfect, but there are many reasons to be cheerful here.”

David Broadbent, Oldham Athletic’s sales and marketing manager, said: “This survey is nonsense. Oldham is a happy town, people always say hello, we’ve just got Metrolink and now news of the new stand at Boundary Park! Parts of the borough have stunning scenery and there are great regeneration plans for the town centre.”

Kate Smyth, library development officer in Oldham, said: “Our town is opening new libraries in a time when libraries are being shut all over the UK. Oldham is a town committed to promoting a love of books and reading.”

The Rev Neil Chappell of Greenacres Congregational Church, said: “There are so many things to be happy, cheerful and thankful for — most of which we probably take for granted without thinking about.”

Asim Iqbal, from Clarksfield, said: “Oldham is a lively place with great community spirit. There’s plenty to keep people happy.”

But there was one dissenting voice. Paul Hartley, licensee at the Dog Inn in Chadderton, said: “There is no feelgood factor in Oldham. It’s all doom and gloom. While there are things being done and properties being built, I think everyone thinks it’s others benefiting from it and not them. It feels like there are no prospects and this makes people depressed.”


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