Homeless camp outside Greater Manchester town hall 'moved on'
A homeless camp outside Oldham's town hall, which had been used as a shelter since February, has been cleared by council staff. The council claims no one was living there permanently and that support, including accommodation and guidance, was offered to those affected. The area has been secured ahead of the building's future redevelopment.
A homeless encampment that had occupied the entrance to Oldham’s empty Civic Centre since February has been cleared and the area sealed off by council staff.
The makeshift camp, set up on the doorstep of the town hall, was dismantled quietly within the last week. According to the council, no one was living there permanently by the time the tents were removed.
Coun Elaine Taylor, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said outreach teams had engaged with those staying at the site, which had formed outside the disused Access Oldham office.
“While residents were sleeping in tents at the old Access Oldham office our teams engaged to see how we could help and support them, and as Cabinet Member I went and spoke to them myself to encourage them to accept the support being offered,” Taylor said.
“We offered them accommodation, guidance and help to make sure they were safe and looked after. The same support we offer anyone who needs it.”
Taylor added: “By the time we moved the tents, there was nobody staying there on a permanent basis, as our team had carried out checks throughout the days and nights leading up to this to make sure everyone had been provided appropriate alternative accommodation. The space they were staying in was not a suitable location for anyone to sleep, so this has now been secured to protect everyone, and the reality is we’ll soon be moving out of the civic centre and it will become a building site.”
The camp had drawn criticism from Liberal Democrat councillors, who called the sight of people sleeping rough outside a vacant council building “bad optics.” The Civic Centre offices have stood empty since staff relocated to new premises at The Spindles shopping centre in June 2024.
Among those who had stayed at the site was Josef, a 28-year-old Eritrean refugee who told the Local Democracy Reporting Service in June that he had struggled to access support after being granted refugee status.
“I go to the council every day,” Josef said. “They tell me they can only help when I have found a place to rent. But nowhere will accept me because I have no money, no job, no education. And nowhere will take me for work because I have no address.”
The council maintains that everyone who had been staying at the site was offered help with accommodation and advice.
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