Curtain-raiser looms large

New Oldham Town Hall development.

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DEVELOPERS are rapidly paving the way for the much anticipated opening of the multi-million pound Old Town Hall complex.

Yorkshire Street is undergoing a facelift before the grand unveiling of the £36.7m cinema and leisure hub with an opening date due to be announced soon.

Earlier this year Oldham Council announced plans to spruce up surrounding streets including resurfacing of the carriageways and footpaths, formalising existing kerbside parking, new traffic calming measures, improving pedestrian crossings, street furniture and landscaping.

A bus lane is also being removed and new bus stops will be installed.

Back in May, Paul Groves, principal engineer with Oldham Council, said: "The works will improve the physical appearance along the remaining length of Yorkshire Street to compliment the high quality public realm being introduced in this area of the town centre."

Contemporary cafe bar chain Loungers is the latest confirmed tenant for the development bringing a "vibrant family friendly environment" to the town centre multiplex.

Each Loungers location has its own unique name and the Oldham offering will be called "Molino Lounge", a Spanish word meaning mill.

The venue will boast a large outdoor terrace with views across the new public space being developed, Parliament Square.

It joins Costa, Nandos and Gourmet Burger Kitchen, with two other restaurants to be revealed soon, as part of the grade II-listed development which includes a seven-screen Odeon cinema.