Former town centre pub in Oldham to be turned into pilates studio

The ‘dilapidated’ building of a former town centre pub in Oldham will be transformed into a pilates studio and apartments.

Once home to the Buck and Union, the three-storey property on 36 Union Street has been approved for the fitness makeover by town planners. 

The structure close to the Clegg Street junction has stood empty since the pub’s landlords were forced to make the ‘awful decision’ to close down in February 2024. A Facebook post at the time cited changing nightlife habits following the Covid pandemic and ‘soaring prices’. 

The pub and the four-bedroom apartment on the upper floors was listed for sale at £750k later that year. 

Now developer Yasir Beg wants to give the place a major refurb. The first floor will be split into a reception area, open gym floor, changing rooms, storage space and an accessible toilet. 

And the upper floors will be turned into five self-contained flats, which will be accessed directly via Union St. The pub’s former beer garden will be retained as a communal outdoor space and there will be six parking spaces and cycle storage. 

Town planners approved the application after amendments and agreements were met with the developers, such as changes to the size of apartments and sound insulation. The gym’s opening hours will be limited from 5am to 11pm. 

Officer Dave Richards noted in his report that the building ‘was once a handsome and characterful building but is unfortunately now in a dilapidated state’. 

Richards added: “The proposal seeks to bring a vacant town centre property back into use. The proposed uses are compatible with surrounding land uses and could contribute to town centre vitality, improved footfall and health and wellbeing objectives.” 

The building isn’t grade-listed and doesn’t have a ‘community asset status’. Town planners also received no objections from locals about a loss of amenities. 

The Buck and Union pub closed amidst a spree of town centre pub losses, which included the Royal Oak on Union Street, as the hospitality industry continues to struggle against changing consumer habits and price hikes in rent, utilities and stock.