A temporary space has been set up for Oldham's Local Studies and Archives service as it prepares to move into a new home next year.

The current base for the studies and archives service, on 84 Union Street, will close as of Thursday, November 30, this year.

A temporary home will then open in March 2024 within Oldham Library to allow the public to access the service before it officially moves into its permanent archives centre in Spindles.

The new archive will be part of the revamped shopping centre site.

Once complete, it will include a new Tommyfield Market, events space and co-working space for small businesses and council staff.

During the move it will not be possible to provide access to archive collections at the temporary site in Oldham Library, meaning the service will be reduced until the work is complete.

Access to physical archives will also be paused from November 30 as staff will be working to pack and catalogue collections to prepare them for the move.

Users of all Oldham libraries will still be able to have free access to family history websites, including Ancestry and FindMyPast, as well as census information from 1841 to 1921 via public computers.

From March next year, the Local Studies service will be set up in the main library to allow access to newspapers on microfilm and a range of local history publications.

The council said it will also restart popular expert advice sessions for people researching their family history every Monday and Wednesday, from 2pm to 4pm, in the temporary home.

Councillor Peter Dean, Cabinet member for communities and culture, said: “These are exciting times for Oldham Local Studies and Archives as the move to a permanent, state-of-the-art facility in Spindles draws closer.

“Residents will still be able to access elements of this popular service from its temporary home in Oldham Library until the new site is completed.

“The team is really looking forward to relaunching the service in its new home, and we will hopefully bring some new users with us, who have experienced the service for the first time while we’re in Oldham Library.”