A team of gardeners who work in Oldham's 'growing hub', including the newly refurbished Alexandra Park conservatory, will not lose their jobs, contrary to some reports, the council has said.

The borough is home to several 'growing hubs' in its parks and public places, including Waterhead Park, Lees Park, Dunwood Park, Failsworth Library and Alexandra Park.

The Hub in Alexandra Park was Oldham's first growing site and has expanded over the years to support and feed the community.

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Its team of volunteers and council environment officers have even ensured the fresh produce has been packed into veg boxes to support Oldham Foodbank amid the cost-of-living crisis.

In summer last year, the Alexandra Messenger Conservatory reopened to the public after a two-year hiatus while hefty repair works were being completed.

The makeover on the 116-year-old conservatory cost £460,000 and many celebrated its return.

The conservatory has since contained many plants and flowers the council's environment team have grown, which are then planted along roads, streets and highways to brighten up the borough. 

It was believed the growing team at Alexandra Park would be made redundant and would no longer be able to maintain the flowers, plants and produce at The Hub and its conservatory.

Some reports suggested staff would be let go by March 29, however the council has now said no staff will be losing their jobs and they will be redeployed instead.

The council also said the greenhouses would be closed but the conservatory would not be.

Cllr Chris Goodwin, cabinet member for Neighbourhoods, said: "Oldham Council is considering a number of options as part of the savings process. However, this does not include closure of the recently refurbished and much valued conservatory.

"The greenhouses are being closed but we will still deliver and maintain seasonal bedding throughout Oldham. Importantly, no parks staff will be made redundant due to the closure of the greenhouses. We are actively looking into redeploying staff affected by this change."

Some residents are concerned the plants in the conservatory will also have to be removed, effectively "closing down" the space over a lack of personnel to maintain it.

A concerned resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "There will be no flowers grown for public displays.

"No hanging baskets or flower troughs around the town.

"No civil displays anywhere and no flowers around the town.

"No more beautiful Oldham competition.

"I personally think it's the best thing we have in Oldham.

"Council Tax goes up every year but the services the public gets are trimmed to the bone."

There were some reports that temporary labour and private firms would be brought in to plant flowers and trees across the site with one worker claiming it costs £250 to plant a tree while staff suffer cuts to their wages.

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.