Urban explorers document decline of Oldham buildings

The visits have often evoked nostalgic sentiments from Oldhamers across the borough.

However, the practice can be dangerous, with property owners warning of safety risks for those who enter abandoned property.

Urban exploring, if done without permission, is considered trespassing.

While trespass is not usually a criminal offence in English law, it is a civil wrong, meaning those doing it could be subject to court action.

However, committing burglary is a criminal offence, so breaking anything to enter could see you subject to criminal action.

May 2022: Werneth Park music rooms

The urban explorer behind the Lost Places & Forgotten Faces blog revealed the shocking extent of vandalism that has taken place to derelict Grade II listed music rooms in Werneth Park.

Dating back to 1850, the rooms have fallen into disrepair.

The building is located in Werneth Park (Image: Lost Places & Forgotten Faces)

The building is listed as the ‘Conservatory in the Park’ on Historic England’s Register of nationally protected historic buildings and sites in England.

The listing suggests the building located on the North Eastern edge of Werneth Park, adjacent to Frederick Street, was "probably built as the music room for a house now demolished but built by the Platt family in around 1850".

Oldham’s Platt Brothers even have a link to Japanese automotive giant Toyota – paying them for a patent which spurred the company on to worldwide status, as celebrated in a lightshow in March this year.

June 2022: Saddleworth High School

The school taught Saddleworth’s teens for more than 100 years, but in 2022 staff and students relocated to a newer building in Diggle.

The Uppermill school closed its doors in February 2022, with the No Limits Urbex team exploring inside just six days later.

A classroom inside Saddleworth high school (Image: No Limits Urbex)

Founder of No Limits Urbex who goes by the name ‘Mr M’ said when they arrived at the school, the power had been left on and it felt “a little unnerving” walking around.

Messages had been left on whiteboards throughout the school.

Oldham Council warned against entering the site on safety grounds.

March 2023: Rileys building

In March, Razor Twisted Exploring went inside the former Riley’s building on King Street.

Also previously known as ‘Romeo’s & Juliet’s,’ and ‘Astoria,’ the building has a varied past, opening in 1908 as the Grand Theatre, it was substantially rebuilt in 1937 as the Gaumont Cinema.

A snooker table in the abandoned building (Image: Razor Twisted Exploring)

Photos from inside the building, shared on the explorer's Facebook page, show the former Rileys portion of the building looking dilapidated, with abandoned merchandise including packaged food and drink, as well as an open safe, video tapes, and electrical equipment.

The building was also home to the Rainy City Roller Derby league.

However, they were kicked out of the ‘Thunderdome,’ as they called it, in late 2020 – despite having paid months of rent.

They said it was ‘surreal’ to see the building in its current state.

Do you want to see inside an old building?

Is there an old or abandoned building you wish you could see inside once again? Let us know where you miss in the comments below.