BDP unveils plans for Oldham Town Hall

BDP’s plans to reinvigorate Oldham’s Old Town Hall building have gone on display.

The firm was appointed by Oldham Council in March to bring forward designs for bringing the Grade II-listed building back into use for the first time since it was closed in the mid-1990s.

Its proposals for the sloping site involve restoring the building as a civic ‘jewel’ and adding new functions such as a cinema, cafes, restaurants and retail outlets. Its plans went on display yesterday in the Egyptian Room – the old Borough Treasurer’s room – as part of a public consultation exercise.

BDP’s plans involve building an extension to the Clegg St side of the building, which would solve the problem of moving through three different levels that were created as the original building continued to be extended.

The extension would provide a new entrance and foyers to the cinema areas, overlooking a new pedestrian square next to the new town centre Metrolink station and the entrance to Town Square shopping centre.

It will also introduce a ‘Light Box’, cladding part of the building in translucent glass to privide the cinemas with attractive foyers and offer controlled views in and out of the building. This will be lit in different colours during various times of the day and night.

The street-level entrance – level 0 – would house retail units and café/restaurants, Upper levels will contain up to eight cinema screens with an overall seating capacity of 940.

Speaking after yesterday’s consultation, Oldham Council leader Cllr Jim McMahon said: “This was a significant day in our plans to regenerate the Old Town Hall and restore it as a source of civic pride.

“I’m not surprised that so many people came along to view these plans as the fate of this venue – and the lack of a cinema in the borough – have been unresolved issues for far too long.

“It is hugely important that we make progress on these matters and our vision here is to deliver a fantastic new facility. This would be an entertainment venue to attract families back into the town centre, that can capitalise on Metrolink, and also act as a catalyst for wider regeneration.”