Oldham set to benefit from a £20m boost

Oldham is set to benefit from a £20 million government funding as part of a national plan for change.

On Monday, March 3, the multi million pound windfall was confirmed, which ensures everyone in the country benefits from the government’s growth agenda. 

The council has provided a breakdown of how it plans to spend the large sum of money. Two areas to receive the biggest cuts are the Oldham town centre housing delivery partnership along with sports education and facilities, which will each see £5m of investment. 

The money for the town centre housing delivery will support the development of a planning strategy and associated pre-development costs for the four key town centre housing sites including Civic, Magistrates Court, Leisure Centre site and Princes Gate, to deliver up to 2,000 new homes in the town centre. 

Part of the £20m will support market traders as they leave Market for Spindles Shopping Centre.

Around £4.5m will go towards local projects in the borough, £2.5m will help in creating a cultural quarter for Oldham with the Coliseum at its heart, while £2m will be used to support market traders as they relocate in the redeveloped Spindles Shopping Centre. 

One million pound will go towards redeveloping George Street as the new home of an outdoor market and a new public space, while an innovative pilot to crack down on rogue landlords by withholding or clawing back benefits cash will benefit from a £100,000 investment. 

Council leader, Cllr Arooj Shah, said: "This £20m of investment into Oldham really is a game-changer. 

“It will supercharge the ambitious regeneration plans that we have for the borough in a year that Oldhamers will finally see some of these bold ideas come to life.  

“Every part of the borough will reap the rewards from this vital cash boost, and every part of Oldham society from business, culture, charities, community groups and other voluntary organisations. Most importantly of all, every Oldham person will see the benefits. It’s also great to see the actions recommended by the Oldham Economic Review Board being implemented. 

"Oldham’s time is now, and this huge cash investment will help restore pride and hope to our borough.”