Charity plans to turn crumbling building into HQ

THE building on Union Street the charity hopes to restore and use

A CRUMBLING building at the heart of the new Prince’s Gate development will be brought back to life by a local charity.

Pennine Mencap, which supports adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health difficulties, has taken over Rhodes Bank Chambers at the corner of Union Street and Prince Street.

The building’s owner donated it to the charity after realising it would cost him too much to bring it up to an acceptable standard.

The group, formed three years ago, currently operates from a tiny office opposite Sainsbury’s.

Chairman Elliot Sparks said: “It is a vast building with a lot of problems, but we will take it one step at a time.

“We have very ambitious plans, including a drama studio, an adapted gym and rooms for counsellors and therapists. We are working out what our options are and getting surveys done to assess the current condition. We will continue to raise money to help our cause. We also want to create a vintage tea room which will offer an income for the charity.

“We want to name the building Rhodes Bank Centre and whether it takes us one year or 10 years to get to where we want to be, we will keep battling to make our little corner of Oldham beautiful.

twitter: @DawnMarsdenOC