GALLERY | Inside ‘landmark’ building Oldham wants to save
Named one of the most endangered buildings in the country by the Victorian Society, the Prudential Assurance Building “has been left to rot” according to Oldham Council leader Cllr Amanda Chadderton.
Now, Oldham Council is looking to change that – issuing a compulsory purchase order for the grade two-listed structure off Union Street. The local authority wants to turn the building into a business incubation hub and has already secured money from the Future High Streets Fund to do so.
What a fixed-up Prudential Assurance Building could look like. Credit: Buttress Architects
Before the CPO can go into effect, the secretary of state will have to weigh in on the matter. A decision is expected in the coming months, according to Oldham Council.
Chadderton said she and the council were “committed to protecting this important building for future generations”, adding that the building is “a landmark in Oldham town centre”.
She noted that the Prudential Assurance Building had been “largely unused” for 12 years.
“Despite efforts to engage with the owner, it continues to fall further into disrepair, posing a danger to the public and becoming a target for anti-social behaviour,” Chadderton said.
“We will not sit by and watch this happen.”
Evidence of the current state of the Prudential building can be seen in the gallery at the bottom of this story.
Designed by Alfred Waterhouse, the Prudential building dates back to 1889.
Under the council’s proposals, the restored building would offer flexible workspaces for small businesses, particularly those in the creative, digital and media sectors. Buttress Architects is working with the council to draw up the designs for the business incubation hub.
Chadderton said: “Oldham has been named as one of the most entrepreneurial towns in the UK and we are proud to be creating new opportunities for young and innovative businesses to start up, grow and thrive.”
Click any image to launch gallery. All images by Buttress Architects.
It’s a stunning building and it’s a disgrace it was allowed to deteriorate.
By 1981
One of the better decisions made by Oldham Council. It’s part of Oldham’s history so I look forward to this lovely building being restored to its former glory.
By A Cynical