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Issue. 121 - Jul - 2020 0115 6972677 | www.wilcopmedia.co.uk | sales@wilcopmedia.co.uk
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Oldham bidding for £25 million town centre boost
The Harris and Preston Markets to be lit blue to celebrate the NHS' 72nd Birthday
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Plans to transform historic Egyptian Rooms into food hall
see page 7.. Plans to secure £25 million to improve Oldham town centre have moved a step closer thanks to the Oldham Town Deal Board. The board, made up of representatives from across the public and private sector, is working up the borough’s bid to the government’s Towns Fund. Four ambitious projects have been earmarked to receive a proportion of funding, with residents invited to help develop the project business cases starting from autumn 2020. The projects are: • New flexible performance space: a new, sustainable 21st century venue to be developed in Oldham town centre, as part of the wider cultural quarter. • Oldham town centre offices: the development
of Grade A office space to attract private sector occupiers to Oldham instead of Manchester city centre.• Oldham town centre district heat network: utilising energy from flooded coal mines to create an environmentally friendly power source. • Northern Roots: to provide key infrastructure and anchor features such as a visitor centre for the project which is set to become the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park. Peter Holbrook CBE, Chair of the Oldham Town Deal Board and Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, said: “This funding will play an important role in supporting Oldham’s bold town centre regeneration plans. “We have identified four exciting
projects which we believe will help to transform Oldham for the better – but we want the community shape the process and welcome their thoughts on the projects we’ve put forward or any other ideas they might have.” The Town Deal Board meets monthly – and has been meeting virtually during the coronavirus pandemic – to continue to develop Oldham’s investment bid to the Towns Fund. The £3.6 billion government fund aims to help support regeneration projects in towns which have a proud industrial and economic heritage but have not always benefitted from economic growth in the same way as more prosperous areas.Oldham is among the 101 towns selected to submit a
bid, with up to £25 million available per place. The local bid will focus on a designated area of Oldham town centre, up to and including Alexandra Park. It will be submitted in July. Cllr Sean Fielding, council leader and cabinet member for economy and enterprise, said: “The town centre is at the heart of our borough and the heart of our vision to create a better place and make Oldham the greenest borough in Greater Manchester. “This ambition will be crucial in helping us to build back our local economy following the coronavirus pandemic and we look forward to submitting our bid. “The funding will help bring some of these regeneration projects to life and level up investment and opportunity for our town.” Local charity Action Together will help the Town Deal Board to work with the local community whilst developing the project business cases required by government. To submit comments in the meantime, email regeneration@oldham.gov.uk For more information visit www.oldham.gov. uk/towndeal.
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The Harris and Preston Markets to be lit blue to celebrate the NHS' 72nd Birthday This weekend Preston City Council is lighting The Harris and Preston Markets blue to celebrate the NHS' 72nd birthday on Sunday 5 July, as part of the national #LightItBlue campaign. While buildings across the UK will be lit blue, the public are being invited to come together for a final clap for carers at 5pm on Sunday, 5 July. This one-off clap has been described as a "moment of thanks and connection" to applaud the NHS and
all key workers who have helped the country through the pandemic. On Saturday 4 July, there will be a national moment of remembrance and reflection for those we have lost during the pandemic. This is a chance for the nation to come together and pay our respects. This is being led by the Together Coalition who are asking people to place a light in their window or on their doorstep on the evening of Saturday 4 July. Councillor David Borrow, Mayor of
Preston said: "This is a real opportunity to celebrate the NHS' 72nd birthday and thank everyone who has worked so hard to help us through this crisis. The lighting of the buildings and final applaud on Sunday are small ways we can show our sense of pride and support towards all the key workers across the country." Further Information Further information about the NHS' birthday, moment of remembrance and final clap
for carers can be found on the NHS' website. We are working with partners across the County to support the most vulnerable in our community who are facing difficulties, worries and loneliness as a result of Coronavirus (Covid-19). If you are isolated by Covid-19 and need help please visit our Preston Together page or ring 01772 906777 or email support@ preston.gov.uk Preston City Council actively applies and prioritises the principles of Community Wealth Building wherever applicable and appropriate. Community Wealth Building is an approach which aims to ensure the economic system builds wealth and prosperity for everyone.
Temporary closure will make South Ribble route quieter for cyclists Lancashire County Council is introducing a temporary road closure in South Ribble to help social distancing and encourage people to walk and cycle for regular journeys as lockdown restrictions are eased but there remains a need to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The county council has been working closely with district and borough councils to safely reopen town centres as footfall increases, and prioritise walking and cycling due to continued restrictions on public transport. A number of measures are already in place to give more space to pedestrians in busy areas, and make cycling easier, including a number of 'point-closures' which allow vehicles to access the full length of the road to
reach homes and businesses via diversion routes, while preventing them being used as rat-runs where more suitable routes are available for through-traffic. The new temporary closure is due to be introduced on Monday 13 July at the junction of Shady Lane and Nells Lane near to the main entrance for Cuerden Park. This will reduce traffic levels on both roads, making them an attractive route for cyclists, by removing the opportunity for vehicles to use them as a direct route between south Preston and Clayton-le-Woods. This will keep through-traffic other than cycles on more suitable main routes such as Wigan Road and Lancaster Lane. There will be diversion signs in place where roads are closed
to direct drivers on alternative routes to their destinations. County Councillor Keith Iddon, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "We're always looking for opportunities to make it easier for people to travel more sustainably, however current advice is to avoid using public transport unless your journey is really necessary, so instead we're asking people to walk and cycle if they can. "We're building on the popup cycle lanes already in place by temporarily closing some roads at various points to make them quieter routes for cyclists and prevent ratrunning, while facilitating access for vehicles via signed diversions. "This closure should make Shady Lane and Nells Lane less busy by keeping vehicle traffic on
more suitable main routes and away from local roads which are more suited for cycling. "Our aim is to create a network of better links for cyclists on routes into town and city centres to encourage people to use their bikes for regular journeys, such as getting to work. "While social distancing restrictions have eased somewhat, we expect them to affect the way people can use public transport for some time to come, with the risk that this could lead to an increase in people driving and cause more congestion on the roads. "If creating these quieter routes, and pop-up cycle lanes, make some people feel more able to cycle instead of driving or using public transport for regular journeys, they will have been worthwhile. "At the same time they are a temporary measure as part of our response to the coronavirus crisis, and we will keep them under review." You can find out more about walking and cycling at lancashire.gov.uk/activetravel. Details of temporary cycling measures and road closures will be updated in the coming days on a national map of coronavirus-related measures at sustrans.org.uk/space-to-move.
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Deputy Leader responds to child poverty figures in Oldham Councillor Arooj Shah is Deputy leader of Oldham Council and the portfolio holder for a new cabinet post, Covid 19 recovery, which as part of its remit is looking to tackle poverty and unemployment. She has responded to a thought provoking report by poverty charity Turn2Us that states fifty per cent of children in parts of Oldham are living in poverty and up to half of all families are living below the poverty line in Greater Manchester’s worst-hit
areas - with the coronavirus outbreak a factor. Councillor Shah says: “While the accuracy of this 50% figure needs verifying, we are very aware that there are too many children in Oldham who are living below the poverty line, the results of many years of financial cuts by central government. “Before Covid 19 we had started to work with schools to pilot an innovative poverty proofing project, to identify, from the perspective of children and young people, how they experience poverty every day. The aim is to remove the stigma associated with poverty and flag any areas where more support
may be available schools, families and for individual children. “The Council is also a key partner in a national pilot project to explore how local emergency crisis support can be better coordinated to ensure that our most vulnerable and disadvantaged people do not fall through the welfare safety net. “The Coronavirus pandemic has increased the pressure on many vulnerable families to put food on the table and it is the duty of all of us to try and help those most in need. “The way Oldham Council has responded to support residents during this crisis has been fantastic and we have seen what can be achieved when residents, volunteers and local businesses come together to help vulnerable people.
“The steps we are taking to tackle the pandemic aim to support our residents, especially our most vulnerable communities who are often most impacted, but we can’t do this alone. All our partners and communities have a role to play. That’s why we have recently established an Equality Advisory Group which I Chair, made up of partners and community representatives, to help provide insight and expertise, helping us capture the voice of lived community experience in our COVID-19 response and recovery planning. “We want to build on this and the next step is so important – Rebuilding our businesses and local communities, ensuring our youngsters have regular meals and a great education and making Oldham a great place to live."
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Borough's parks set
for big pathway makeover Work to improve the main paths in the borough’s parks will start later this year as Wigan Council looks to improve accessibility for residents. The work will be undertaken in a phased approach starting with five key locations: Central Park in Atherton, Jubilee Park in Ashton-inMakerfield, Pennington Hall Park in Leigh, Alexandra Park in Newtown and Ashfield Park in Standish. These five parks have been prioritised based on footfall and their current condition. Once repairs in the first phase have been completed then officers will move forward with plans for other main parks. Two of the principles set out in the Deal 2030 are to create an environment to be proud of and one that inspires residents to seek a healthy and active lifestyle which is why the investment is so welcomed. It's hoped that better access to facilities in borough parks will encourage more residents to use
public open spaces and as a result produce mental and physical health benefits. Councillor Nazia Rehman, cabinet member for finance, resources and transformation, said: “This work across our parks will help to enhance the amazing green spaces we are lucky to have in the borough and will benefit local families and young people first and foremost. “Wigan Council has always been committed to the long-term improvement of our parks and open spaces owing to the health benefits and social value they bring to our communities. “If anything, the pandemic and enforced lockdown has highlighted the importance of our outdoor spaces and this investment will encourage more of us to keep happy and healthy.” The decision to act now comes after years of general wear and tear which have led to areas of pathways becoming damaged and uneven.
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Plans to transform historic Egyptian Rooms into food hall Oldham Council has submitted plans to transform a historic town hall space into an independent-style food market. Situated in the Egyptian Rooms of the landmark Old Town Hall, the casual dining market would deliver a brandnew offer to Oldham town centre. Featuring six food and drink concessions, it would cater for around 200 people with both inside and outside seating including a large covered al-fresco dining area on Parliament Square. The venue proposes a similar concept and layout to existing independent food markets across Greater Manchester with food and drink traders located on the perimeter and a central dining and socialising space. Potential stalls could include coffee, pizza and a bar. Oldham Council has now applied for permission to redevelop the room - which was once home to the Borough Treasurer’s Rates Hall - and is in discussions with potential operators. Cllr Sean Fielding, Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and
Skills, said: “This would be an exciting new food and drink experience for Oldham and a great addition to the Old Town Hall and the fantastic businesses already based there and across the town centre. “We’re committed to ensuring Oldham has a vibrant leisure and night-time economy and we are confident a market like this will be welcomed by residents and visitors.” Following a £37 million redevelopment, the Grade II-listed Old Town Hall was transformed from a derelict building. It is now home to a sevenscreen Odeon cinema, Nandos and Molino Lounge. The council has submitted a bid to the Government’s Future High Street Fund to support the delivery of the food market. If successful, the funding will also support other regeneration projects across the town centre including public realm improvements and the creation of a digital start-up hub. Cllr Fielding added: “Coronavirus has had a huge impact on Oldham - which is
why it’s more important than ever to do everything we can to create investment, jobs and opportunities for people. “We look forward to hearing the outcome of the Future High Street Fund which will enable us to deliver key regeneration projects to help our town build back better.” Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater
Manchester, said: “Many residents and operators in Oldham have spoken to me about how thriving the night time economy used to be. “I have now had many visits and very positive conversations with Cllr Sean Fielding, the Leader of Oldham Council. Sean completely understands and supports the idea of re-
invigorating the sector and last year assembled a Night Time Economy Taskforce. “Last year, during one of my visits, I was shown a very ambitious project, the Egyptian Rooms and was told about the plans to bring it to life and expand footfall into the Old Town Hall. “Now, even during these challenging times, I’m
delighted the Egyptian Rooms are progressing. "Not only will it create many jobs but could also become a nucleus to make other independents flourish, as we have seen with food halls in other areas of Greater Manchester.” If approved, work will begin on the Egyptian Rooms later this year with a planned opening of summer 2021.
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Helping taxi drivers recover from lockdown
Urgent measures to help taxi and private hire drivers recover from the economic effects of coronavirus are set to be approved. The proposals will ensure that licences up for renewal will not lapse and that drivers and vehicles can continue to operate despite difficulties caused by the lockdown. They are: • To extend by three months all current vehicle licences which were due for renewal between July and September. • To extend by three months all vehicle licence tests,
both renewal and interim, that were due this financial year. • To postpone medical examinations for three months due to drivers having difficulty in getting appointments, with drivers required to self-certify in the meantime. • To issue 12-month licence renewals rather than the usual three-year licences, so drivers have to find only one-third of the cost now. These proposals are due to be presented to the council’s emergency powers group tomorrow. All taxis will continue to
operate safely and meet MOT requirements. Councillor Jane Black, cabinet member for the cultural economy, said: “Like many people, taxi and private hire drivers have been badly hit during the coronavirus lockdown, and suffered a major drop in their income due to the requirement for people to stay at home. “We hope that the measures we’re announcing tomorrow will give them some much-needed help as we leave the lockdown and go back to business as usual.”
Blazing a trail for young people with Bolton’s Festival of Hope
Are you aged 14 over and have a story to shareabout a meaningful event that has happened in your life and how this brought you hope? If so Bolton’s Library and Museums Service wants to hear about it. The Festival of Hope will take place online from July 31 to August 2, connecting people within the borough through the sharing of personal stories of hope and optimism which are based on important events in their life. The closing date for stories is July 16, and entries need to be submitted online at https://forms.gle/ efJQkiKsVtBQZhfN8. The stories will help Bolton Library and Museum document this significant time in history and they have been collected following a callout for submissions specifically for people aged 14 and above in Bolton. The compendium of stories, either
anonymous or accredited, are to be published online for people to read during The Festival of Hope. The young people powered programme celebrates creativity, heritage and diversity and captures this moment in time, where nothing in the world is the same as it was before Covid-19 and the festival reflects this. The service has worked with a charity called Blaze that places young people at the heart of design, making, programming and production. They have been working hard shaping their festivals across five sites covering Bolton, Carlisle Chester and Cheshire West, Clitheroe and Padiham, and Sefton. Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member who has responsibility for Libraries and Museums, Cllr Hilary Fairclough, said: “We are keen to help develop young people’s talents and life skills.
“We are shining a light on the next generation of creative talent across Bolton as part of the Festival of Hope. “It is also encouraging that our industrial history is helping give young people an outlet to be positive and express their creativity in this current changing time, and providing us all hope for the future.” People can follow the festival on social media with #festivalofhopebolton2020. The Festival of Hope will include online and offline events that are interactive, engaging and supports our communities. Keep your eyes peeled for ways to get involved. The Festival is part of Hope Streets, a five-year project creating a strategic partnership between heritage and youth sectors in the North West led by Curious Minds and supported with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
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IRONMAN UK 2021 registration to open The gruelling triathlon – made up of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, followed by a marathon - will take place in and around Bolton on July 4, 2021. The borough has proudly hosted the IRONMAN event since 2009. Unfortunately, this year’s event could not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic. Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr David Greenhalgh, said: “Ironman is a huge test of endurance and one of the ultimate challenges anyone can take on. “Our borough has been hosting this brilliant event for many years now, and we are looking forward to welcoming all our athletes and spectators. “We hope to see everyone who was going to take part this year, and we will be working with IRONMAN to make next year’s events the best yet.” IRONMAN UK Race Director, Sam Brawn, added: “We have been working hard to make sure that next year’s race is even bigger and better. “We cannot wait to once again experience the thrill of racing and to welcome all the athletes and supporters to the 2021 race!” Entries will be limited. For more information and to register visit https:// www.ironman.com/im-uk-register. Bolton will also be hosting the 5k Night Run on July 2 and IRONKIDS on July 3. More details about registration for these races will be released at a later date.
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Successful Surgery For Cork
Jack Cork has undergone successful surgery which will hopefully have the midfielder back for the start of next season. Cork suffered an ankle injury in the Clarets’ 1-0 win at Crystal Palace at the end of last month which has kept him out since. But after going under the knife, the 31-year-old – who has started 105 games in the Premier
League over the past three seasons with the Clarets – is now on the road to recovery. “Corky has had a minor operation. We’re pleased with that and it’s gone well,” confirmed manager Sean Dyche. “It was pretty straightforward in the end, which was the good news. “Obviously, that will keep him out for the rest of this game schedule
but we’re hopeful he will be back into it for next season. “We don’t know when that is yet but hopefully that will be fine.” Clubs are still waiting for confirmation of when the 2020/21 season will start following the delayed finish to the current campaign due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But with a potential September date on
the cards, Dyche is optimistic that the current absentees, also including Ben Mee, Ashley Barnes and Matt Lowton, are progressing well enough to have that as a target. With Chris Wood continuing his successful comeback with a first start since March in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at new champions Liverpool, the Clarets
are therefore likely to have the same personnel on duty against sixthplaced Wolves at Turf Moor on Wednesday evening. And Dyche is delighted with how they have responded to the postlockdown scenario to enhance a run of just one defeat in 13 league games which has kept the Clarets competing for a place inside the top
10 and on the fringes of the race for Europe. “It’s massive credit to the players,” he added. “They’ve seen beyond the injuries and beyond the challenges and just got on with it. “That’s a great mentality to have because we’ve had some really tough games against some good sides and none better than Liverpool, as it’s proven this season.”
Each Edition of the Lancashire Now has an estimated readership of 42,500 from print and online. Published by Wilcop Media Ltd, 92L Rolleston Dr, Arnold, Nottingham, NG5 7JP.