Oldham set to lose its last court next month

FINAL days . . . Oldham County Court is set to close on Friday, July 14

OLDHAM'S only remaining court is set to close next month.

The Chronicle can reveal that Oldham County Court, in New Radcliffe Street, will finally close on Friday, July 14.

Under a court closure programme announced by the Government in July 2015, a 12-week consultation period was put in place to close all county courts in Greater Manchester, with the exception of Wigan and Manchester.

Oldham Magistrates' Court closed on September 23 last year and cases have now been transferred to Tameside Magistrates' Court.

Cases at Oldham County Court, which has 31 staff and annual operating costs of £666,000, will be transferred to the Manchester Civil Justice Centre.

A spokesman from HM Courts and Tribunals Service said: "Oldham County Court is scheduled to close on July 14. We have a world-leading legal system and are investing more than £1 billion to reform and digitise our courts to deliver swifter justice. Closing underused and dilapidated court buildings will allow us to reinvest in the justice system and make the best use of technology.

"This will improve access to justice and improve the experience for all court users, in particular vulnerable victims and witnesses."

In the North-West, only St Helens County Court (with St Helens Magistrates' Court to close), Stockport Magistrates' Court and County Court, and West Cumbria Magistrates' Court and County Court will remain open.

John Pollitt, president of Oldham Law Association and a senior partner at Pearson Solicitors in Oldham, said: "It's a sad day really. It's going to mean people will have to travel further and lose the opportunity for a truly local county court.

"I can understand the logic behind it, with saving money and making efficiencies. But something is lost when a town loses its court. I think dispensing justice locally by people who are local to the area and understand local needs delivers a better and more just service."

Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham West and Royton, added: "The Oldham County Court closure is unfortunately just the tip of the iceberg. Already under the Tories we've seen Oldham magistrates court closed. We've seen custody cells and police posts in Royton and Chadderton closed. And across Greater Manchester we've seen our police force reduced by a quarter.

"So I don't believe for one second that Theresa May cares about a strong and stable Oldham, when she can't help the people that are there to help us.

"Labour on the other hand recognise that if we want to live in a decent society, we need decent public services."