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

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Oldham Made set to celebrate independent businesses in Oldham

We’re making March a month of celebration for independent business of Oldham!

We have been working behind the scenes with the local business community to transform an empty retail unit in Spindles into a pop-up shop called ‘Oldham Made’.

The store is open from Tuesday 1 March to Thursday 31 March and will sell amazing products such as crafts, clothes, gifts, locally brewed beers, and candles sourced from a range of independent businesses across Oldham.

The shop will be fun and quirky, with lots of larger-than-life installations, Instagram-worthy elements, and plenty of exciting product demos for shoppers to get involved with.

From Saturday 5 March, visitors to the store will also be able to collect four specially designed bags for life. All you need to do is spend £5 in an independent shop in Oldham, then bring your receipt to the Oldham Made store and exchange this for the exclusive bag.

Find out more and get involved here ([link removed])
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New hotel and supermarket set to come to Oldham

At Council’s Cabinet yesterday, councillors discussed the exciting regeneration plans for Oldham town centre and confirmed that a planning application for a new hotel and popular supermarket chain, Lidl, is due later this year.

During the meeting Cabinet also agreed a timeline for the redevelopment of Spindles Shopping Centre, following approval to demolish the former TJ Hughes unit to make way for Oldham's new market.

Works will start on site in spring, and a detailed planning application will be submitted very soon for the brand new Tommyfield Market, as well as new venues for work, entertainment and leisure.

If you’d like to know more about our plans, you can watch our fly-though video which highlights the major regeneration projects taking place across the town centre. Watch the video here ([link removed]) ([link removed])

Read the full story ([link removed])

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More roads to be improved as part of £12m highways investment programme

We're set to improve even more roads and streets as part of our £12m highways investment programme.

Three years ago we started a long term programme of works to resurface and repair roads across the borough.

By the end of this financial year, we’ll have carried out programmed works on more than 170 roads.

The good news is we’ll now be able to improve conditions for drivers and pedestrians on even more roads. The extra work has been possible thanks thanks to savings we’ve achieved through our teams working smarter and more efficiently.

More money has also been saved by getting the best value for money deals from contractors and suppliers.

After assessing the condition of several roads to see which are the most in need of repair, the extra money will now be used to improve a further 18 roads across Oldham. Our teams are looking to carry out the work before the end of March.

Report potholes and highways defects to us via the council website ([link removed])

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Prevent further cases of Covid-19 in Oldham

Have you recently tested positive for Covid-19?

To prevent the further spread of the virus in Oldham, it’s important you play your part in supporting the Contact Tracing service as we aim to identify any new cases.

Please continue to provide as much information as you can when filling in your contact tracing form, or over the phone, including details of who you have been in contact with and where you have been.

For more information click here ([link removed])

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Get tested and help reduce cases

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
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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 Monday 21 February, 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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Get tested at your local pharmacy today

Testing before doing things like spending time in crowded/enclosed spaces, or visiting someone at higher risk of severe illness of Covid-19, helps prevent the virus from spreading.

If you have no symptoms, please get an onsite test at your local pharmacy today.

Find out more ([link removed])

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Oldham Covid cases - rates continue to fall

Over the last 7 days, Oldham has had a rate of per 270 per 100,000 population, which is lower than the rate of 449 for the previous 7 days.

77% of Oldham residents have had their first vaccine, 71.3% have had their second vaccine and 53.8% of those eligible for a booster jab have had one.
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5-11 year olds now eligible for low dose vaccine

Children aged between 5 and 11 in England are going to be offered a low-dose Covid vaccine.

The health system in Oldham is currently preparing to offer Covid vaccines for these 5-11 year olds after the Government announced the eligibility of this age group.

Children are at a much lower risk of becoming severely ill from a Covid infection but will still benefit from the protection a vaccine gives.

The scientists on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), concluded that vaccinations should go ahead to prevent a "very small number of children from serious illness and hospitalisation" in a future wave of Covid. The vaccine - which contains just a third of the adult dose - has already been used widely in other countries.

Once the vaccine is ready for this age group (this usually takes a few weeks to organise) you’ll be able to book your child on via the national booking system.

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Struggling? We Can Help

We know a lot of people are struggling right now. That’s why help from across Oldham is available if you’re finding things difficult and need some extra support.

On our website you'll find information and support on areas including food vouchers, financials, mental wellbeing, heating your home and more.

There’s also help for families with advice on activities for children that include offers of a hot and healthy meal.

Please don’t suffer in silence – we can help.

Visit our We Can Help page ([link removed]) or call 0161 770 7007

Illuminate Festival - not long now!

There's only a week (and one day!) to go until the late-night light festival, Illuminate, returns to Oldham.

Grab your family and friends and visit Oldham town centre on Saturday 26 February, from 6 - 9pm, to take part in our parade and enjoy mesmerising illuminated installations and dazzling performances. The event kicks off with a procession of light from Gallery Oldham to the Old Town Hall, followed by entertainment across the town centre.

Find out more about the event ([link removed])

The stunning internationally renowned work of art, Gaia, a replica of planet Earth, will be exhibited inside the Queen Elizabeth Hall as part of the Illuminate Festival.

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Learn how to build a business

We’re inviting budding entrepreneurs to build a business in Oldham Library by taking part in a new and innovative project. ‘Build a Business in GM Libraries’ is an exciting business-focused project that will run until June 2023

Workshops are already underway and you can get advice, tailored support and guidance around business through a programme of workshops. The project also helps entrepreneurs to plan, develop and grow a business idea, whilst also providing the opportunity to network with other like-minded people.

Participants of the workshops will also have access to Oldham Library’s Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC), where users can access industry-standard business information resources, including powerful market research databases.

For more information about the Build A Business project and to find out how you can get involved email
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Build a Business in GM Libraries is part-funded by the European Union with £1.3 million from the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund).

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Fancy £10 off a composter or bokashi bin?

Recycle for Greater Manchester’s Let's Compost Now campaign has a great offer to help you to start composting from the comfort of your own home.

Whether you want to reduce your carbon footprint or just want to get your garden ready for Spring, now is the time to start your composting journey with their discount offer.

They are offering £10 off and free postage when you buy a 220 litre or 330-litre outdoor composter or a Bokashi bin*

To get the offer, just enter your Greater Manchester postcode on their website here. ([link removed]) ([link removed])

If you want to know more about composting, visit Recycle for Greater Manchester Let’s Compost Now website. ([link removed])

*Please note, this offer is only open to residents in Bury, Bolton, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford.

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Oldham Council . Civic Centre . West Street . Oldham, OL1 1UT . United Kingdom