Town hall cinema project sets the scene

PROJECTION: residents’ memories and photographs will be beamed on to the old town hall while it is being converted into a cinema

CHERISHED memories and photographs will give passers-by a trip down memory lane as Oldham’s old town hall is transformed into a new town centre entertainment complex.

Oldham Council is working with artists Alan Ward and Dan Dubowitz to record the transformation. The “History Building Futures” project looks at the relationship between Oldham’s civic buildings and local residents. A specially-designed screen will feature photographs of local people and their memories.

Council leader Jim McMahon said: “The town hall’s importance and history was at a severe risk of being lost forever, but now with a new seven-screen cinema and six restaurants on the horizon it can become become a symbol of civic pride once again.”.

Alan Ward has travelled around Oldham, taking photographs to create a portrait of the borough through its people and their stories.