When not on show in Gallery Oldham or elsewhere, Oldham's archives and museum artefacts are currently stored in various locations within council-owned buildings, which sometimes are not fit for purpose.
The distribution of artefacts also makes it difficult to allow viewing of items as they are not readily accessible.
The proposed Accessible Archive and Collections Centre will house museum and archive items, that are not on display, in a safe and accessible environment or have public access.
The acquisition of Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre has provided an opportunity to locate the new collections in a town centre location which is accessible to the public.
Mall level
- A space at mall level would act a search room similar to the current local studies offer at 84 Union Street. In the new archive centre, people could access the archives, look at maps, photographs and documents, research family history, access census information and more.
- Archives would need to be booked in advance, ideally online. Our current Calmview system would enable people to do this. This database brings together the archives and museum collections, and there are over 170,000 records on there at present.
Guided tours
Access to the lower levels would likely be on scheduled guided tours.
This could include public tours, school parties, community organisations – or anyone who wants to find out more.
The store would be created in a repurposed area within a level of Town Square car park.
