The ‘rescued’ historic building that’s sprouting trees

A historic building in Oldham town centre is sprouting trees just months after it was ‘rescued’ through a compulsory purchase order by Oldham Council.

The Grade-II listed Prudential Assurance Building opposite King Street tram station was freed of ‘destructive’ vegetation in June. The much-needed liberation came after the local authority bought the structure for a ‘nominal fee’ in an effort to save the landmark from complete dereliction. 

The grand, 135-year-old building has been a long-term eyesore whose state was seen by some as a ‘symbol of the town’s decline’. But Oldham Council insists the project to restore the building ‘has not been forgotten’. Planned maintenance on the site has been delayed due to ongoing urgent repair works needed across the borough following Storm Claudia. 

A spokesperson said: “We understand why residents are concerned when they see the building in its current condition, but this is not a forgotten project. The site remains part of our planned maintenance programme, and some of the issues visible now are linked to recent storm damage and the temporary measures that were needed to keep the building safe.”

The future use of the Prudential Assurance Building is still being deliberated and will be dependent on its physical state. The council is currently considering ideas ranging from an office block, to a new retail site and residential units, or even a town-centre hotel, the LDRS understands. 

A spokesperson added: “Survey work is currently taking place to fully understand the condition of the building, which is a vital step in developing the next phase of plans. 

“While this work is not always visible from the outside, there is a lot happening behind the scenes to make sure any future investment is done properly and sustainably.”

The Prudential Assurance Site was originally tipped to become a business hub and co-working space under plans approved by town planners in 2023. But with the council’s ‘start-up hub’ now located in the Spindles shopping centre, these plans have been dropped. 

The original scheme was set to cost around £8.4m. 

Some of the preliminary works have been covered by a £400,000 fund from Historic England, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Oldham Council, which pledged to help rescue four of Oldham’s ‘irreplaceable’ historic assets.

Oldham Council has not revealed the full amount paid as a ‘nominal fee’, claiming there are still some legal aspects that need to be dealt with as part of the Compulsory Purchase Order, which gives local authorities the power to force a sale of a property.