The bold vision that could change the face of one Greater Manchester town forever

The vision for 2,000 new homes, a hotel and a linear park could see Oldham’s urban landscape completely transformed.

Iconic landmarks in the town have been eyed for regeneration, with a  ‘retail core’, ‘cultural quarter’ and ‘education quarter’ all being created.

The Civic Tower, Civic Centre, and Prince’s Gate as well as the former magistrates’ court, leisure centre and Manchester Chamber are all in line for seismic changes.

Muse, the company behind the council’s plans, have promised to make Oldham ‘a great place to live for generations to come’. 

The scheme would be delivered in phases over the next 15 years. The key locations identified for redevelopment are a ‘civic and residential Quarter’ around the town hall, a ‘retail core’ around Spindles, and the ‘creative quarter’ near the Coliseum, Mumps and the town’s western edge.

Council boss Arooj Shah said it was an “exciting milestone” for the town, claiming she aimed to create a town centre that is “fit for the future”.

Phil Mayall, a director at Muse, said previously: “We want Oldham to be a hub for successful local businesses, a destination characterised by quality homes, leisure and outdoor spaces, and a family-friendly place that reflects its heritage as a thriving northern town.”

Civic Centre
The current plans propose up to 838 homes, with a mix of residential units and commercial spaces on the ground floor to create a ‘vibrant mixed-use community’. This plan has been developed alongside the proposals for the Former Magistrates’ Court located immediately to the south.

Civic Tower
Muse’s vision would see the Civic Tower repurposed as a modern hotel, creating a commercial offering. This aligns with our overarching plan to deliver a ‘vibrant and sustainable neighbourhood that integrates seamlessly with the surrounding developments’.
Old leisure centre

Another 250 new homes are due to be added on what was once the site of Oldham’s leisure centre, which was demolished in 2016. The land would be repurposed for more residential blocks connecting to ‘linear park’, a strip of greenery stretching the length of the whole town centre.
Former magistrates court

Another new neighbourhood with 225 homes will take the place of the demolished Magistrates Court. Two L-shaped blocks ranging from seven to 10 blocks high will be built around a ‘courtyard space’ with greenery.

Former Manchester Chambers
What used to be the home of Manchester Chambers, near George Square, will be refurbished for commercial uses. Under the current proposals the site would see retail spaces, cafes, gyms or restaurants, with offices on the upper floors built.

Prince’s Gate
Prince’s Gate is expected to act as a ‘gateway’ into the town from the east. The site is currently a council-owned public car park but is set to be transformed into a residential community – delivering 331 new homes and commercial spaces at ground level.

Consultation on the proposals is now live and will run until Friday, March 7. Muse and Oldham Council are urging residents to share their thoughts on the proposals.

Two events are planned next week so that locals can get more information about the scheme. A live public webinar will be held via Zoom on Monday, March 3 at 6pm and a public drop-in event will be held on Wednesday, March 5 between midday and 5pm at the Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre.