A weekly update on what's happening in Oldham and the latest Covid news and guidance

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Weekend of celebrations planned for Platinum Jubilee

With the Platinum Jubilee fast approaching, we’ve announced a full weekend of activities to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

Celebrations will run from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June and include a Jubilee Beacon; a parade, a two-day family-friendly festival with street theatre, live music, dance, art, and activities including arts and crafts; and big screens showing the national Jubilee Pageant in London.

You will have the opportunity to celebrate together at street parties in your own communities, with funding available for 70 groups to throw parties in their neighbourhoods. Further details of how to apply will be made available soon.

Find out more ([link removed])
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Restrictions have now eased, but please stay safe

Whilst most Covid restrictions in England have been relaxed, Covid’s still here. So we’re urging everyone across Oldham to stay as safe as you can by getting vaccinated and getting tested.


Living alongside Coronavirus isn’t always easy. But with each other’s help, and the additional support available, we can do this. Let’s keep everyone safe so we can keep doing the things we love most. Getting fully vaccinated remains our best defence against COVID-19 and we urge everyone to Get Boosted Now.

Please consider wearing a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces, let fresh air in if you meet indoors and get tested and self-isolate if required.

For more information visit click here. (http:// www.oldham.gov.uk/coronavirus)

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Get vaccinated

Covid-19 vaccinations are incredibly important in preventing severe infection. Various clinics are available for walk-in appointments if you haven’t already had your first, second or booster doses, so please come forward.


You can book through the NHS website ([link removed]) , or visit our website ([link removed]) to find local walk-in sites across Oldham.


You can also visit the pop-up vaccination site on Saturday 29 January outside the Spindles, open 9am to 5pm.

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PCR test sites

You should now only go for a PCR test if you have one of the three main symptoms of Coronavirus:
* a high temperature
* a new, continuous cough
* a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

However, if you test positive for Covid-19 at home with no symptoms and are eligible for a self-isolation payment, please come forward for a confirmatory PCR test as you will need this as part of the process to apply for a payment.

Check your eligibility here ([link removed])

PCR testing sites in Oldham for the week commencing 31 January, include:

Southgate Street car park (Next to Oldham Library)
Monday to Sunday, 8am-6pm

Honeywell Centre, Hadfield Street. Hathershaw, OL8 3BP
Monday to Sunday, 8am-6pm

Peel Street in Chadderton, OL9 9JX
Monday to Sunday, 8am-6pm

Higher Memorial Park, Failsworth, M35 9DE
Monday to Sunday, 8am-6pm

Prince Street Oldham Mumps Tram Station Car Park
Monday to Sunday, 10am-3pm

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Need a rapid Covid-19 test?

Many local pharmacies across Oldham are ready to provide you with a free onsite rapid test, if you have no symptoms.

All you have to do is turn up, have a swab taken and you’re free to go. Pharmacies will test your swab and submit the results on your behalf, meaning you only have to wait for a text message shortly afterwards. This will come via the national system and it will inform you of your test result.

Find out more ([link removed])

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Oldham Covid cases

Over the last 7 days Oldham has a rate of 748 per 100,000 population, which is lower than the rate of 912 for the previous 7 days.

76.5% of Oldham residents have had their first vaccine, 70.5% have had their second vaccine and 52.7% of those eligible for a booster jab have had one.

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Can you, your business or workplace support our new Working Wardrobe shop?

The town centre shop will be run by our Get Oldham Working team to help Oldhamers get interview ready.

Anyone referred there can get an interview outfit for no cost and one-to-one support to help them feel prepared and confident.

To get the project up and running we would welcome new or used work-appropriate clothing in a wide range of sizes. Accessories and unopened cosmetics would also be great.

Find out more ([link removed])

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Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund now open

A new business rates relief scheme has opened today and we are inviting businesses across Oldham to apply.

The Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) will support those businesses affected by the pandemic but that can’t receive existing support linked to business rates.

The deadline for making an application is 28 February 2022.

Applications will be assessed and businesses notified after this closing date. This is to ensure the council can support as many Oldham businesses as possible with the funding available.

For full eligibility details and to apply click here. ([link removed])

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Has your business been impacted by the Omicron variant?

Two business grants are currently running to support certain businesses impacted by the Omicron variant.

The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant is for hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses that have a rateable value. Businesses in the same sectors but who don’t pay rates might be eligible for our discretionary scheme, the Omicron Additional Restrictions Grant. Some travel companies and hospitality suppliers can also apply for this.

Details of all our business support schemes can be found here ([link removed])

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Need advice about money?

Greater Manchester Poverty Action (GMPA) has been working over the last year with Oldham Council and partners across the borough, to co-produce a new money advice tool.

It describes all the places you can go for advice and other support around getting the most out of your money. The aim is to help you get all the money you are entitled to and to reduce the need for referrals to food banks, by increasing referrals to other kinds of support.

How it works
The tool is designed to be as user-friendly as possible. It starts by asking, “What’s the problem?” to establish the issues underlying the need for support. The tool then outlines some options to address these issues and then provides contact details for organisations that can help.

You can find the tool on the council website here. ([link removed])

Bluecoat students remember Holocaust Memorial Day

Bluecoat School students heard a powerful testimony from Judith Hayman, a second-generation
Holocaust survivor, on Thursday, as they remembered Holocaust Memorial Day.

Held on the same day every year, Holocaust Memorial Day is the international day to remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, millions of people killed in Nazi persecution of other groups, and genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. 

The theme this year was ‘One Day’ - one day in the year for us to come together to learn, share and remember the holocaust and genocides that followed across the world.
Oldham's transforming...

Work has started to transform streets and public areas in the town centre as part of our Accessible Oldham scheme. The project will make it easier, safer and more enjoyable to travel around Oldham – especially for cyclists and pedestrians.

The first phase of works is now underway on Henshaw Street and Albion Street, where we’re planting trees, putting in new seating, street art and bike parking to make the town centre more attractive and vibrant. We’re also improving the route between the town centre and bus station.

Businesses in the area are open as normal and access will be provided to pedestrians at all times.
The Street Market, which is held on Fridays and Saturdays, has relocated to allow the works to take place and is now on the High Street in front of Primark and the feature flower bed.

Find out more about the plans here ([link removed])

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Diggle roadworks ahead of school opening

A section of Huddersfield Road, Diggle, will close to traffic from 14-20 February. The road will be closed in both directions between the junctions of Ward Lane and Standedge Road.

A diversion will be in place but access will be provided for residents, emergency vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Traffic marshals will be on hand to help. The closure will allow us to complete the final resurfacing ahead of the new Saddleworth School opening.

This work has to be done after most of the major construction ends - so the road surface is in the best possible condition ready for the new school opening. We'd like to thank the community for your continued patience.

Click here for the full details ([link removed])

Local Listing project - there's still time to nominate

There’s still time to nominate your favourite historic buildings, landscapes, historic sites, public art, monuments and even street furniture to join the Local Heritage List for Greater Manchester.

The Greater Manchester Local Heritage List Project is being run by the Greater Manchester Archaeological Advisory Service (GMAAS), based at the University of Salford, together with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and local councils.

The aim of the project is to work with local communities to identify and help protect the things that make a place special and give an area its special character.

Have your say before the end of February here ([link removed])
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Keep moving, whatever the weather

Winter can be a difficult time to stay motivated to keep fit. When the dark nights draw in and the weather isn’t great, many of us find ourselves a lot less motivated to grab our trainers and go for a run or walk.

But GM Moving wants to change that and is inspiring Greater Manchester to try and be enthusiastic about remaining active throughout the winter period.

Whether you made a new year's resolution to focus on fitness or not, GM Moving offers encouragement, empowerment and support for people who want to nourish their physical and mental well-being through exercise.

Find out more here. ([link removed])

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