Oldham Egyptian Room transformation underway

Internal fit-outs have begun to convert space in the Old Town Hall on Parliament Square into a food hall.

The Hub is the main contractor for the Egyptian Room revamp, expected to complete this summer.

BDP submitted the plans on behalf of Oldham Council. The project will deliver six casual dining stalls, a bar, and central seating to Firth House.

The Hub has been contracted to fit-out the space. Credit: via planning documents

The food hall will cater for around 150 people, offering indoor and outdoor space. A mezzanine will provide an additional seating area and event space.

The room’s Victorian architecture, including a decorative glazed wall and terrazzo flooring, is protected by its Listed Building status and will remain.

Plans for the grade-two listed 8,000 sq ft space were approved in March 2021.

Turner & Townsend is managing this project. Mace has been appointed as quantity surveyor.

Plans for the project were approved in March 2021. Credit: via planning documents

The Future High Street Funds provided the council with an external funding grant of £1.1m towards the project costs.

BDP is the architect, civil and structural engineer, and environmental and building engineer for the redevelopment.

Cllr Amanda Chadderton, leader of Oldham Council, said: “Once opened, the new food hall will add another great offer to Oldham’s growing day and night time leisure experience, along with the other great venues in and around our town centre.

“The regeneration of the space is another vital part of our Creating a Better Place programme – we’re creating a town centre for the future where people will want to live, work, visit and socialise.

“I’m also glad that we’ve partnered with The Hub, who have a wealth of experience in fit-out contracts and whose past commissions include the Royal Shakespeare Company, O2 Arena, and Royal Armouries.” Chadderton continued. “We are currently in negotiations with an operator and will be making an announcement to this end shortly.”

The Egyptian Room was previously the Borough Treasurer’s Rates Hall, but has been vacant for years.

This scheme follows a £37m redevelopment of the rest of the Old Town Hall building, completed in 2016. Renovations introduced an Odeon cinema, Nandos, and Molino Lounge to the site.

Oldham Council’s reference number for the application is LB/345082/20.