Another milestone in the renewal of Oldham Town Centre as the Old Oldham Library is restored!

It was great to be given a tour of the restored landmark heritage building just off Union St. yesterday, ready for it to be put back into community use after several years of this Grade II-listed building being closed.

Thanks to the expert work of construction partners Tilbury Douglas, the original features of this historic building which dates back to 1883 have been carefully preserved, while the inside has been upgraded to create a modern space for all to enjoy.

The Labour-led Council deserves credit for their tireless work to prioritise protecting our brough’s proud heritage in a way which reimagines landmark and transforms them for the good of local people. Whether here at the Old Oldham Library, the restored Royton Town Hall & Library, the Fairbottom St. site of the Oldham Coliseum which has been saved, or the Egyptian Room which completes the regeneration jigsaw of the Old Oldham Town Hall.

The Old Library now includes a fully restored Council Chamber and Mayor’s Parlour, creative studio spaces for Oldham Theatre Workshop, a beautiful upstairs art gallery, and brand-new landscaped gardens that will host events all year round.

Taking these facilities from the Civic Centre, QE Hall and Tommyfield Market to the new Spindles Council Offices, the new Market Hall & Events Space off Parliament square, and now the Old Oldham Library; not only are local people getting the refurbished modern facilities they deserve, but the town centre is being restructured to bring institutions closer together and drive condensed footfall to high street retailers & small businesses.

Two of my four local priorities that I set out at the election in 2024 were fighting for Good Jobs and promoting Community Ownership. In modernising infrastructure, driving footfall for local businesses, and restoring this local building of heritage for community use as a vibrant civic and cultural hub; we are advancing those priorities which looks to be making a real difference.

After 130 years of being a cornerstone of community life until it was replaced by the Oldham Library & Lifelong Learning Centre in 2006 – the Old Oldham Library is now back and this is just the start!