Oldham Training Centre to become retail store under plans

Oldham Training Centre, on Lees Road, had been training apprentices for decades and had been used by students across Greater Manchester.

The site primarily trained people who were studying engineering and business courses, with people based at businesses able to complete the mandatory hours of study required by apprenticeship law at the site.

Now, a planning application has been approved, which will allow developers to turn the site into retail use.

In a design and access statement included in the plans, the developers explained the issue which had led to the centre closing.

It said: "The building was formerly used as a training centre for a range of apprenticeships primarily in the engineering and business services sectors.

"However, over the last few years, the training centre has been experiencing declining enrolments and partnerships.

"It becomes untenable for the business to be sustainable.

"Therefore, the training centre had to close its doors."

The plans do not state when the centre closed, but a review left on Google four months ago stated that it had been shut for 17 weeks at that time.

The application sought permission for a change of use from a learning institution to retail.

The plans also outlined the addition of an external cold storage and canopy, which will be sited at the rear of the building.

The new plans will see several internal walls on both the ground floor and the first floor removed to create a more open layout.

The plans will see the front of the building used as the shop floor, and the rear will be used as storage space.

On the first floor, developers have said they will create several office spaces.

It has not been confirmed what the nature of the retail use will be.

The Oldham Times has contacted planners for further information.