Luxury hotel leads fightback

OLDHAM CABINET: PLANS for a 141-room luxury hotel in Oldham will symbolise the borough’s “fightback of all fight-backs”, Oldham Cabinet was told last night.

The meeting approved a report on progress of the Hotel Future project. Council and business-sector partners are nearing the final legal, technical and financial aspects of the project.

Hotel Future will offer conference, health club and spa, bars, restaurant and fine-dining and link to a redeveloped Queen Elizabeth Hall and Civic Centre.

The peoject is designed to boost the Oldham economy and create jobs and training.

The council has been working with the Manchester Hoteliers’ Association, Oldham College and other education organisations on the development, expected to open in 2016 and the first under the Hotel Future brand. Backers hope to expand the brand across the UK.

Oldham Council leader Councillor Jim McMahon said: “This is going to be a flagship facility which will give a completely different experience to visitors. It will be a luxury hotel right in the town centre. It’s a big investment but we can either manage another 10 years of decline or this can be the fightback of fight-backs.”

The Queen Elizabeth Hall will be redeveloped into a modern conference facility with an enclosed glass walkway. The council chamber will be upgraded for use for general events.