New survey on crumbling hall
Reporter: JANICE BARKER
Date published: 22 September 2009
A new survey will find out just how bad Oldham’s crumbling town hall has become.
It has been called for by a team, set up by Oldham Council Chief Executive Charlie Parker, which says doing nothing is not an option.
The working group will find a redevelopment plan for all or parts of the grade II listed building, which has been festering since it closed in 1995. Now it is a potential health and safety hazard.
Before any new plans can be made, the true condition of the building, must be known, said council leader Councillor Howard Sykes. He added: “Moving the Coliseum Theatre there is one option, but let’s see how bad the building is before there are any false dawns.
“This is the first part of the process. It may include all or just parts of the building. We have to think about what we can afford or whether other people can bring money in.”
The £14,000 survey will lead to a heritage assessment and conservation plan for any work needing listed building consent. It will also be used to plan short, medium and long-term repair, and may recommend radical alterations.
The report says: “The old Town Hall is a landmark, grade II listed building, vacant for many years and now deteriorating badly to the extent that it represents a potential hazard from a health-and-safety point of view.
“It is therefore essential that current problems are addressed. Doing nothing is not an acceptable option.”
Oldham Council moved from the town hall to the Civic Centre in 1978. For a few years it was used as a Crown Court, but by 1996 councillors were warned it was being plundered of original furniture, panelling, and fireplaces.
It continued decaying until 2008 when a developer’s £20 million plan for leisure use ground to a halt.
A year ago the Evening Chronicle was given access to the town hall and discovered pigeons roosting in the ballroom and rot had spread through building because of poor security and maintenance.
