THE FINAL phase in the transformation of the former Ashton Old Baths site is now complete.

Further workspaces, meeting rooms and other facilities have been added to the historic Grade II*-listed building, which was first redeveloped by Tameside Council into a digital, creative and media hub in 2016. The second phase of the redevelopment, which started last year, has brought more workspace, co-working spaces, communal areas, meeting rooms, shared kitchens and a data centre.

Alongside hosting council, NHS and other public sector partner’s systems, this new facility is the first commercial data centre to be located in Tameside.

Cllr Oliver Ryan, Tameside Council executive member for finance and economic growth, said: “This second phase of work completes what has been an incredible transformation of Ashton Old Baths, fulfilling our ambition of repairing and restoring the original structure and features to return the site to its former glory while also securing its long term future.

"This is now a state-of-the-art office space, with many appealing and unique features, which should attract cutting edge and forward looking businesses to the borough. This in turn will bring jobs to the area and contribute to the local economy.”

Oxford Innovation, which manages workspaces throughout the UK, was appointed to work alongside Tameside Council to finalise the final phase so the hub can open its doors to businesses this summer.

Gareth Scargill for the company said: “Oxford Innovation has been involved with the Ashton Old Baths project for many years and very much welcomes the additional functionality of the innovation space which the annex brings to the existing centre.

“We worked with the council to finalise the fit-out phase, minimising any physical impact on the existing building’s structure to reflect this building’s history and future. Now, we have a truly groundbreaking commercial space which is an attractive proposition for companies across the digital, creative and media sectors."

Work on the first part of Ashton Old Baths cost £3m and came after the building had sat empty for more than 40 years following its closure in the 1970s.