Oldham named Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2026-27

Oldham has been named Greater Manchester's Town of Culture for 2026-27, complete with a £50,000 grant to fund a year-long celebration of arts and heritage. The announcement came during the opening of The Loom, the town's new indoor market and event space, marking another step in Oldham's regeneration efforts.

Council leader Cllr Arooj Shah highlighted Oldham's multicultural heritage and industrial past in a promotional video, mentioning famous locals like Professor Brian Cox and Take That's Mark Owen. She also noted that The Beatles played in Oldham during their early days, though some residents questioned whether the town's current cultural scene matches this illustrious history.

The reaction from locals has been decidedly mixed. Some residents welcomed the recognition, seeing it as a chance to showcase Oldham's talent and bring opportunities to the town. Others were more skeptical, questioning whether a place with closing theatres and pubs deserves such an accolade, especially given recent reports naming Oldham as one of Britain's worst places to live.

The debate has sparked discussion about what constitutes culture in modern Oldham. While some see the award as validation of the town's creative potential, others point to the proliferation of takeaways, vape shops, and barbers as evidence that the cultural landscape needs more than just a title to transform. The council has promised more details about the cultural program in due course.