A hall lot of history brought back to life

ON the up . . . councillors Kay Knox and Mike Buckley with (back, from left) The Victorian Society’s Mark Watson, Dr Ian Dungavell and Chris Costelloe

THE Victorian Society has given Oldham Council a big thumbs-up for carrying out vital work to take the old town hall off the nation’s top 10 endangered buildings list.

Three officials from the society toured the building by torchlight yesterday to see the steps taken to make it structurally sound, weatherproof and watertight.

They dodged scaffolding supporting some of the building’s treasured features which date back more than 170 years.

And they marvelled at the austere court room which for the most part is in tact, and lies unused at the heart of the neglected structure.

Oldham Council pledged £700,000 in April to secure the future of the iconic building, which was in danger of deteriorating to the point where it was impossible to save.

Work began in July and is now finished. It is now waiting for the next phase — the offer of a partner to carry out a £900,000 development to bring it back into use, possibly for retail or leisure.

The Victorian Society champions the country’s Victorian and Edwardian buildings, seeing them as a vital and irreplaceable part of Britain’s heritage.

Dr Ian Dungavell, was part of the trio who toured the Grade II-listed building with Councillor Kay Knox, Cabinet member for leisure, culture, heritage and tourism services, and Councillor Mike Buckley, Oldham’s heritage champion.

He said it was rare for a local authority to step in to this extent and congratulated Oldham Council on its foresight.

Celebrating its removal from the top 10 on the endangered list, he was making his first steps inside the old town hall.

He said: “I’m amazed. It is such a solid building.

“It’s important both culturally and for its craftsmanship, and for its part in local heritage. It’s one of the buildings that makes Oldham, Oldham.

“Some areas have been damaged by water, but the council quite rightly seized the moment to ensure the building will be here in the future.”

The Victorian Society raised the alert just over 12 months ago following concern from conservationists, campaigners and members of the public.

It also highlighted the importance of the building’s history, which includes Winston Churchill standing on the steps to make has acceptance speech when he was elected MP in 1900.

Councillor Knox said it was now in a condition where it offered a viable redevelopment opportunity, but admitted there was no “quick fix” solution.

She said: “The old town hall should not be a symbol of neglect — it should be a source of civic pride. We will not rest in our efforts to make this a more attractive and marketable development opportunity.”