£1 Million Grant Awarded for Historic Prudential Building Repairs
Heritage at Risk Capital Fund provides crucial investment for the Grade II listed landmark in Oldham.
By Megan Worthington
••3 min read
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Generic image of a historic red-brick building facade under a cloudy sky.
Oldham Council has secured a £1 million grant from the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund for essential repair and conservation works at the Grade II listed Prudential building.
The investment will aid in the protection and preservation of the Grade II listed building. The council secured the funding from The Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, which supports the repair and conservation of historic buildings across England. This fund is delivered by Historic England and financed by the government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
The grant is designated for vital works to safeguard the landmark Prudential building while longer-term strategies for its future are formulated. The building, constructed in 1889, is situated next to the Oldham Central Metrolink stop on Union Street. It was designed by Alfred Waterhouse, a prominent Victorian architect also known for the Natural History Museum and Manchester Town Hall.
In 2024, the council utilised its compulsory purchase powers to acquire the derelict building. It had previously been identified by the Victorian Society as one of the UK's most at-risk historic structures, clearing the path for its restoration. This investment, alongside projects like the award-winning J.R Clynes building (the former Old Library), underscores Oldham Council's dedication to repurposing historic buildings for sustainable use and ensuring their continued contribution to the borough's future.
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"Securing this £1 million investment from Historic England is fantastic news for our community. These essential works will help to protect an important part of our heritage while we continue to explore opportunities for its long-term future. We are grateful to Historic England for recognising the significance of the Prudential building and supporting our efforts to preserve this important landmark."
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"Historic buildings are an important part of what gives places across England their character and identity, and they can be powerful assets for the communities around them. By investing in buildings at risk, we have an opportunity not only to protect important heritage, but to unlock their potential, breathe new life into historic places and showcase what makes communities distinctive. This funding will support urgent conservation needs while helping projects move towards sustainable futures, whether through continued use, new uses or bringing valued buildings back into active use. We are pleased to support projects across England that demonstrate how investment in heritage can help create stronger, more distinctive and more vibrant places for the future."
The Heritage at Risk Capital Fund programme plans to award up to £75 million over five years, concluding in 2030, to support historic sites facing risk. These initiatives aim to deliver urgent repairs, foster employment and skills, and reintegrate historic buildings into productive community use.
