Find out this week's news from Oldham Council

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The future look of the restored Old Library revealed

The future interior of Oldham’s Old Library has been revealed for the first time, with the submission of a full planning application for the second phase of the restoration.

Digital modelling from the architect shows a modern interior that opens the building back up to the public, makes use of the space, and preserves many of its original features.

The grade II listed building will be home to meeting rooms, a gallery, as well the Council chamber – all while sensitively incorporating many of the building’s historic features and being equipped with state-of-the-art technology and energy efficient systems.

And its not just about the history and the future use – even in the work to restore the Old Library, it is creating investment and opportunity in Oldham.

The social value that the project has already achieved for Oldham is estimated to be around £2.6 million and includes 143 weeks of apprenticeships, 121 hours of education outreach & career support, more than £4,000 in community support, and more than £2 million spent locally. Find out more ([link removed])
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Town centre regeneration works moving at pace

Major works got underway at Parliament Square this week, with demolition works at the former T J Hughes to make way for the new market and events space development.

The revamp of Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre is well on track, with plans to turn the area into a multi-purpose site with leisure, retail, offices, the new market, and a new business enterprise centre for the borough.

Works at the former TJ Hughes are anticipated to last for around 12 weeks, starting from the top of Parliament Square, near Yorkshire Street, and working down towards the Ashcroft Street side of the building.

During the demolition period, there will be management techniques in place to reduce the disruption to the environment and surrounding businesses. The existing site will need to be extended from mid to late March 2023, with a road closure and diversion in place for the remainder of the demolition period. Find out more ([link removed])
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Community Fridge pilot launched in Greenacres

On Wednesday 1 March, Oldham Council Leader Amanda Chadderton and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham launched a Community Fridge at Greenacres Community Centre in Oldham, to help fight food insecurity.

A Community Fridge is a space that brings people together to eat, connect, learn new skills, and reduce food waste. It is a site where local people can share food, including surplus from supermarkets, local food businesses, producers, households, and gardens.

The fridge will be run by community groups with the main purpose of saving fresh food from going to waste. This is now more important than ever with the current high costs of living, and less food waste will be a benefit for the environment.

You can read more about the community fridge project here ([link removed])
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Businesses go for Breakfast with Frank Rothwell

Oldham Council's Business Ambassador Frank Rothwell recently hosted another popular Business Breakfast at Oldham Event Centre for local businesses across the borough.

The event focused on the future vision for the town centre, the ambition to be the greenest borough in Greater Manchester, the Cost of Living crisis and how Oldham’s businesses can support young people.

Featuring advice from experts, businesses were able to get valuable information on what support was available to them from the Business Growth Hub and get first-hand case studies about how business owners are cutting costs by going green.

Explore our different support packages for businesses via our w ([link removed])
eb page ([link removed])

mailto:[email protected]

Nominate an inspirational woman

We have some amazing women in Oldham.

On Wednesday 8 March, it’s International Women’s Day and we want to call out some of the incredible women from our town and recognise them on our social media channels.

We would like you to nominate an inspiring Oldham woman, past or present who has contributed to the town or to the lives of Oldhamers.

To nominate her please give us:
• The full name of the person you are nominating
• A picture of your nominee
• The reason you’re nominating them (in fewer than 100 words)

Please email the communications team here (mailto:[email protected])

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Save the date – deadline to get free voter ID

If you don’t have the right ID to vote then you can apply for free voter ID. ([link removed])

Also known as Voter Authority Certificates, all you need to get this free ID is:
* Your name, as it appears on the electoral register
* Your address
* Your national insurance number
* A digital photo of you. This can be taken on your phone but needs to similar to a passport photo.

To get free voter ID you also need to be registered to vote ([link removed])

Accepted ID should be one of these:
* A passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country. Other passports will not be accepted
* A driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, or an EEA state (including provisional licences). Licences for other countries will not be accepted
* Older person’s bus pass
* Blue Badge
* PASS card (Proof of Age Standards Scheme)

If you don’t have one of these, then make sure you save the date of 25 April so you don’t forget to apply for free voter ID. ([link removed])

Other helpful links:
* Register to vote by post ([link removed])
* Register for someone else to vote for you (proxy voting) ([link removed])
* View the full list of accepted voter ID ([link removed])

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Oldham Beer and Cider Festival

Oldham Beer and Cider Festival is set to return for its 33rd year, a packed two days of the best of UK creations. packed with the best of UK creations over two heady days.

The event is organised by the Rochdale, Oldham, and Bury branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Nearly 50 cask-conditioned beers will be on offer at the festival, alongside real cider and perry.

It will take place at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on Friday, 31 March, and Saturday, 1 April.

The event will be run in support of the Mayor of Oldham's charity appeal fund.

You can find more information about the event on their webpage ([link removed])
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National No Smoking Day

No Smoking Day is an annual awareness day that encourages smokers to give quitting a go. This year, it falls on Wednesday 8 March and the theme is 'stop smoking to protect your brain health'.

The theme has been chosen by ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) in partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK, as new research shows only 1 in 5 smokers are aware smoking increases the risk of dementia, compared to around 4 in 5 who know smoking causes lung disease or cancer.

Trying to quit smoking can be hard work but it can help make you healthier and save you money! And the good news is Your Health Oldham offers free support to anyone on this journey.

Find out more on the Your health Oldham website ([link removed]) or visit the NHS quit smoking website today ([link removed])

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Have your say!

If you’re an unpaid carer and want to have a say in how we can support you, now’s the time to be heard.

We’re refreshing our Carers’ Strategy and need your help to shape our priorities and support for unpaid carers across the borough over the next three years.

Please share your views and tell us what is important to you by taking part in our ([link removed]) brief survey ([link removed]) before Sunday 10 March ([link removed])

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Manchester remembers

On Sunday 7 May, Boundary Park will host a special charity match between footballing legends and celebrities to remember the victims of the Manchester Arena attack.

All the money raised from the ‘Manchester Remembers’ game will go to support five charities set up in the aftermath of the 2017 attack.

The celebrities’ team will feature Calum Best, Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas, Jay Kontzie, and Joe-Warren Plant from Emmerdale, MasterChef winner Simon Wood, and Love Island’s Dom Lever.

All the money raised will be donated to the following charities, some of which were set up by the families who lost loved ones in the arena attack in 2017: Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust, Liv’s Trust, The Megan Hurley Foundation, The Remembering Nell Foundation, and Eilidh's Trust.

The afternoon will begin with live music from a number of bands on the pitch before the match at 3pm.

For more information and to buy a ticket visit the Oldham Athletic site here ([link removed])

mailto:[email protected]

Mayor’s Civic and Charity Ball

The Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Elaine Garry, would like to invite you to attend her Civic and Charity Ball on Friday 10 March 2023 at The Queen Elizabeth Hall.

The ball promises to be a glittering occasion, starting with a champagne reception from 6.45pm, with a four-course dinner followed by entertainment and dancing with ‘Your Elton - A Tribute to Elton John”, a brand-new show covering all Elton’s timeless ballads for an audience sing-along and playing all his upbeat songs to pack the dance floor! With additional musical entertainment from the Oldham Music Services and pianist Tshepe Tshepela and finally a disco to take us through to 12.30am, this is sure to be a night to remember.

The evening will also include a tombola and raffle as well as an auction in aid of the Mayor’s Appeal Fund, which is supporting local charities, The North West Air Ambulance Charity, Pennine Pen Animal Rescue, The Oldham Cancer Support Centre, Oldham Young Carers Service, Broughton House Veteran Care Village, The Oldham Band (Lees) and the Oldham Bereavement Support OBSS.

For ticket enquiries please email the Mayor’s office (mailto:[email protected])

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See where help with food is available in each district

If you need to know where support with food can be found in Oldham, then our new web page has all the details for you.

We’ve set out where you can go in each area, including what’s open at what time, each day of the week.

To see the interactive map of what is available.ead over to the We Can Help section of our website ([link removed])

Connect with us on Social Media
Oldham Council is on Twitter ([link removed]) , Facebook ([link removed]) , Instagram, ([link removed]) TikTok ([link removed]) and LinkedIn ([link removed]) . Join our followers and get the latest news, events, alerts from across the borough, business, regeneration, employment opportunities and much more.

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