‘At risk’ status the key to unlocking potential

AT risk - Oldham Lyceum. But council leader Jim McMahon has welcomed the decision

KEY buildings in Oldham town centre have been placed on Historic England’s “at risk” register.

But the council has welcomed the decision, which it claims will help to unlock specialist advice and funding to bring the buildings back to their best.

Darren Ratcliffe, historic places adviser at Historic England, said: “Oldham town centre joins 24 other conservation areas at risk across Greater Manchester, most falling within town centres impacted in recent years by retail and market changes. The decline of the high street is a national issue.

“At the heart of Oldham lies a rich architectural heritage and the people of Oldham have recently made great strides to tackle buildings at risk.”

Last month the council approved a four-phase programme to deliver a Heritage Centre and Coliseum Theatre over the next decade. This also widened the original project to look into other heritage buildings in the town centre such as the Lyceum and the Local Studies and old museum.

Oldham Council leader Jim McMahon said: “Our heritage must be the foundation of our regeneration programme, and getting this area added to the ‘at risk’ register is about doing everything we can to protect those assets.

“Buildings like the Lyceum, masonic hall and Prudential building and others are hugely important. It’s our responsibility to reverse their decline.”