Demolition, conservation and rebirth

Photo: Darren Robinson

STRIPPED out: from above and looking towards Union Street, the amount of work already done is clear. On the right, much of the building’s wall facing Clegg Street has been removed to allow for the glass extension.

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THE team transforming the former Oldham Town Hall into an 800-seat, seven-screen cinema says the building will be finished by May 2016.

The massive reconstruction of the landmark Grade II-listed building is now well underway after initial work to dry out a large part of the structure and safeguard historic features.

Project manager John Taylor said: “We now know the building really well and are making great progress in working towards our completion date. We can’t say when the cinema will open, but our part will be done by May 2016.”

In recent weeks parts of the rear of the building facing Clegg Street have been demolished to make way for a large glass extension, which will overlook the new public space, Parliament Square.

The areas demolished included the old prison cells from the days when the town hall was used as a courthouse.

Mr Taylor added: “It is a beautiful building and sometimes it’s not easy demolishing buildings like that. But it will also be a beautiful building when we’re done with it.”

He added: “Some of the biggest barriers have been the unknown. We have got to know the building as we have gone on and have had to contend with things from asbestos to lots and lots of pigeons.”