Oldham's Egyptian Room food hall - why you should visit

Oldham's Egyptian Room food hall, housed in the restored Old Town Hall, is struggling to attract local customers despite its impressive Victorian architecture and diverse food offerings. The venue opened over a year ago as part of town centre regeneration efforts, but recent closures and quiet weekday visits suggest it's not yet become the dining destination planners hoped for.

Eatery Bakery left after just six months, citing insufficient footfall to make the business viable. When the Oldham Times visited on a Tuesday afternoon, only four of five traders were open and just five tables were occupied-mostly people having drinks rather than meals.

Local residents interviewed revealed a preference for established options like Nando's, the Green Room cafe at Tommyfield Market, German Doner Kebab takeaways, or the award-winning Fox and Pine pub. Many said they'd rather travel to Manchester than eat in Oldham town centre.

The Egyptian Room offers lunchtime deals and evening entertainment, with traders including Ply, Tuk Tuk, The Famous Sumo, and Smash n Dunk. The building's restoration features colored tiles and decorated columns that preserve Victorian grandeur, creating a unique dining environment that rivals city centre food halls.

Open Tuesday to Saturday 9am-11pm and Sunday 9am-8pm, the venue represents significant investment in Oldham's heritage. However, its success depends on convincing locals that quality dining experiences exist on their doorstep rather than requiring a trip to Manchester.