Oldham pubs registered as an asset of community value

The Localism Act 2011 allows people within a community to nominate a building or area of land as an 'asset of community value'.

The properties must be used to further the social well-being or interests of the community or it is "realistic" that the asset would achieve this in the next five years.

The decision falls on the shoulders of Oldham Council but gives the buildings a layer of protection for five years, allowing the community to register the right to bid for the asset in the event of its owners selling up.

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Once it has been listed, the owner cannot dispose of the asset without notifying the council and the community is notified and has six weeks to outline whether they intend to bid on it.

The owner cannot sell the premises for six months, to allow the group time to consider.

However, the listing does not guarantee that the community can buy it or force the owner to sell it, nor does it allow the group to place any restrictions on the owner's use of land or to those it is sold to.

It also does not imply public funding can be used to purchase the asset.

There are six properties that have achieved this protected status, including Latics home ground, Boundary Park, and more recently the Oldham Coliseum Theatre.

There are also two pubs that feature on the list.

The Daisyfield Inn (Image: Google Maps)

The Daisyfield Inn, on Keb Lane in Medlock Vale, was granted the protected status in June 2021.

As Bardsley's last surviving pub, more than 70 people objected to a planning proposal that sought to replace its external beer garden alongside further plans for a "new housing development".

The application stoked fears among residents that the pub would be sold off to developers.

Oldham Council agreed that the pub met the criteria for an ACV as its use "furthers the social wellbeing and interests of the local community".

Jim McMahon MP for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton, and more recently appointed Minister of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, assisted with the Daisyfield nomination at the time.

At the time, he said: “Bardsley has lost a number of pubs over the years so it’s good to see that the community have come together and fought for The Daisyfield to be recognised and protected in this way.

“I’m strongly of the view that if we fail to protect our local community pubs then our community will be much weaker for it."

Meanwhile, Bardsley resident, Steve Jeffery, said the ACV “acknowledges the importance of the pub and its beer garden at the heart of Bardsley's community”.

The Royal Oak (Image: The Royal Oak)

Then The Royal Oak on Union Street followed in the Daisyfield's footsteps in January this year, becoming the second out in the borough to receive the ACV layer of protection.

The historic Grade II-listed pub, considered a birthplace of folk music, had been serving pints for more than 200 years before it was forced to close at the end of last year.

Also read: Inside the historic Royal Oak pub that's been 'gutted' since sudden closure

It had also been the home and meeting place for many groups, such as the Oldham Branch of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes and the Royal British Legion.

A committee group called Folks of the Oak soon formed and successfully campaigned to have the building listed.

A member of the committee, Helen Plant, speaking at the time said the team were "amazed" with their victory.

She said: "We were just amazed. It's such good news because everybody said it never happens, you'll never get it, it doesn't happen in Oldham.

"But it's a listed building and it's a beautiful building and this is the first step hopefully on the road to making it a building we can all use again."

She added:  "You always need someone to light the spark in everyone else, and I like to think this little committee we set up is enough to light the spark in everyone else to come together.

"There are so many pubs that have turned into things like HMOs, chicken shops, something else - we've got the chance to do something good."

There were also several nominations that failed to make it onto the list, including The Old Bank on Mumps, just down the road from the Royal Oak.

Another pub, The Ashton Arms on Clegg Street, also failed in its ACV application after it was nominated in 2016.

Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk