The UK government is giving Oldham £5,000 to install two public chessboards.

Council bosses have confirmed the two chessboards will be installed in the new year – though they warned those wanting to play will need to bring their own pieces.

Two sites on Chelmsford Street, in Werneth, and Greengate Street, in Glodwick, have been selected for the new chessboards.

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The news comes after X, formerly Twitter, user Jack Shaw posted the results of a Freedom of Information Act request on the website, showing that 55 local authorities, including Oldham, Bolton, and Wigan, will be receiving money for chessboards.

Local councils were invited to submit an expression of interest for £2,500 funding to purchase and install a chess table and accompanying seats in local parks or green spaces back in September, following confirmation of the plans in August.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities said it hoped this would help to increase participation in chess among primary school-age children, support elite level chess competition, and increase the visibility and public presence of chess.

Only local authorities which had received funding under the Levelling Up Parks Fund (LUPF) were eligible for the funding.

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Oldham was told it would receive £5,000 in funding, for the installation of two public chessboards. Councils are not expected to provide chess pieces under the terms of the funding.

Cllr Chris Goodwin, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “We are really pleased to have received this funding and the two chessboards and seating will be welcome additions to the borough.

“We’ll look to install them over the coming months so they can be used by players during the summer – they’ll just have to remember to bring their own chess pieces.”

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities did not respond to a request for comment. 

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