For decades, the corner of 794 Oldham Road was a pillar of the community—literally. But since NatWest pulled the shutters down in 2024, the building has sat as a silent reminder of a vanishing high street. Now, a fresh vision is set to breathe life back into the local landmark, swapping teller windows for kitchenettes and cold vaults for a community-focused co-working space.
A New Chapter for 794 Oldham Road
Oldham Council has officially greenlit a transformation plan that will see the vacant structure converted into nine one-bedroom apartments. This isn’t just about repurposing bricks and mortar; it’s a strategic move to tackle the local housing shortage.
Developer Obinna Mezi (MZU Properties Ltd) and the architects at Had & Co have designed a layout that maximizes the historic footprint:
Ground Floor: Three modern apartments paired with a co-working lounge featuring four dedicated desks.
Upper Floor: Six additional apartments tailored for modern, urban living.
Natural Light: The “re-purposing” of the iconic former shop windows and the addition of two new eastern-wall windows will ensure the space feels bright and airy.
Why This Matters for Failsworth
The loss of the town’s last physical bank was a heavy blow. With NatWest Group closing over 1,400 branches since 2015, Failsworth residents were left facing long trips to Oldham or Manchester just to speak to a human being about their finances.
While the banking services aren’t coming back, this development offers a different kind of “investment” in the town:
“The proposal would lead to the formation of nine dwellings… contributing to the local housing stock. Furthermore, given the relatively small size of the site, it is likely that the development can be implemented quickly.” — Abiola Labisi, Planning Officer
By transitioning from commercial to residential use, the site avoids becoming a “dead zone” of urban decay. Its proximity to public transport and local amenities makes it a prime spot for young professionals or those looking for accessible, central living.
The Changing Face of Our High Street
The building, once listed for £320,000, is currently being stripped of its last bank-related relics—ATMs and signage are gone. In their place, we are seeing a shift toward the “15-minute neighborhood” model, where living, working (via the new co-working lounge), and commuting all happen in one compact hub.
What do you think of the plans? Is a co-working space and new housing a fair trade for the loss of our last bank, or should more have been done to keep essential services on the high street?
