Rumours of £500,000 statue are quashed

Leader of Oldham Council Cllr Jim McMahon

THE LEADER of Oldham Council has dismissed rumours that £500,000 will be spent on a single statue as part of town-centre improvement plans.

Councillor Jim McMahon is keen to “inject” some pride back into the town centre — but the council’s coffers will not be shelling out large amounts on a single piece of heritage.
He said discussions on the council’s plans have been “incredibly controversial” since £3.5 million of improvements around Metrolink’s new route through Oldham were announced.

Councillor McMahon revealed a “wall of fame” or “interpretation boards” could also be a part of the regeneration plans for the town centre’s future.

He said: “Statues are nothing new in Oldham but numerous developments during the past few decades have gradually seen them removed from the town centre.

“The result, in my opinion, is that it makes it much harder for people visiting to get a sense of the place and its history.

“The beautiful Alexandra Park is now home to several statues which used to be located in the town centre. They provide a wonderful talking point, adding character and encouraging people to ask ‘Who is that?’ and ‘Why is it here?’.

“Perhaps some of them should make a return?

“I welcome the debate we’re starting to have about all this — and it is crucial that we get this right — but it is also important to be clear that we’re not, as has been alleged, planning to spend £500,000 on a statue. Nothing like it.

“What we are keen to do is to inject some heritage back into Oldham town centre after decades of it being either ignored or airbrushed out.”

The Chronicle is currently running a series profiling famous Oldhamers who could be remembered and celebrated in our town centre.

But Councillor McMahon revealed discussions are in place to also recognise the “everyday men and women” of the borough.
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