Shock hall move ‘a kick in the teeth’

FLASHBACK . . . Councillor Shadab Qumer at the opening of the town hall last year

SHORT-CHANGED residents have been stunned by the shock closure of a local town hall - only 12 months after its official opening.

St James ward councillor Roger Hindle described the newly-formed Oldham District Executive’s decision to vacate East Oldham Town Hall in Greenacres as “a kick in the teeth”, and “sickening”.

Councillor Hindle said: “We have no library and the only swimming baths in the area — Glodwick — was not part of the leisure review. This is about all we have.”

The seven-ward executive, made up of the former East and West Oldham districts, will now have its offices at Oldham Civic Centre.

“It was pretty much a fait accompli from the start: the only options were both at the civic centre,” added Councillor Hindle. “It appears that no matter what, the East Oldham base was not going to be considered. This is a real kick in the teeth for the residents of St James, St Mary’s and Waterhead as it means if they want any help with council services, they will have to make the journey into the town centre rather than Holt Street.

“We were one of the last districts to get its town hall open to the public - and it looks as if it will be the first one to close.”

The future of the Holt Street building will be discussed later: “Some East Oldham councillors are pursuing the possibility of volunteers taking over at Holt Street, so the building can still be used and some services still supplied from there,” said Councillor Hindle.