More filming comes to Oldham with stars like Michelle Keegan

Released under the Freedom of Information Act, Oldham Council figures show filming requests in the borough are on the up.

Just eight filming requests were filed with Oldham Council in 2020, when the country was under pandemic restrictions for much of the year.

However, this rose to 23 in 2021 and 25 in 2022. This year, 29 requests were filed before the year was even over, from January 1 to November 7.

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Companies including the BBC, Freemantle Media, ITV, Sky Arts, and Quay Street Productions have requested to film in the borough.

Student films have also used the borough, with production company Thiiird Studios and the University of Salford on the list, having produced a First World War film at Tandle Hill last year.

Student First World War film ‘Ceaseless’ used Tandle Hill last year (Image: Jess Robinson)

Drones have also been used in filming. No requests to use drones while filming were recorded in 2020. However, nine such requests were logged in 2021, with one in 2022, and eight from January to November this year.

A total of 31 productions said they would include Oldham in the credits, and 25 said they would donate to the mayoral charities.

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One business which benefitted from Oldham’s increasing fame was Lees Village Service Station.

The petrol station was left starstruck after Michelle Keegan and the Brassic crew spent a day filming inside.

Oldham ‘has character’

Service station owner Sue Collinge said she thinks Oldham’s ‘character’ is behind the increase in filming.

The 60-year-old said: “The thing is, Oldham’s old. As much as that might sound really strange, we’re not full of new buildings; Oldham’s quite an old town, really.

“Especially in a lot of different places, so if they are looking for things with character and with interest, then I think there are a lot of places in Oldham.

“Oldham’s ain’t the utopia or metropolis that people think it can be, but there are some very interesting places in Oldham as well.

“The garage is old, the garage used to be the stables for the railway in the 1800s, it’s a very, very old building, and there’s a lot of old buildings in Oldham, and I think things like that should be encouraged to be kept.”

She added: “You might sometimes have to look a bit harder than normal, but there are some places.”

Sue Collinge and Michelle Keegan (Image: Sue Collinge/Lees Village Service Station)

Council leader speaks of borough’s ‘great resume’

Another production starring Michelle Keegan which was filmed in Oldham is the Netflix thriller Fool Me Once, set to be released on January 1.

Speaking after the trailer was released, Oldham Council leader Arooj Shah said: “Alexandra Park is beautiful and we’re glad it’s making an appearance on Netflix – we can't wait for millions of people to see the park in all its glory.

“We have fantastic parks and green spaces in the borough and the Christmas period is the perfect opportunity to get out, wrap up warm and go for a walk with friends and family to enjoy them.”

“The borough has a great resume as a filming location and has been featured in productions like Brassic, the Passenger, the Full Monty and the JD Christmas advert.

“We are always working behind the scenes to attract more production companies to choose Oldham – which will boost the economy and bring more eyes to our town." 

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Oldham. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk or click to send me a message on WhatsApp or on Signal on 07517566383.