Landmark eco-visitors centre 'has to be the best'

The visitors centre at Northern Roots is set to be completed in the summer of 2026

Construction work is underway on a landmark £13m visitors centre at the UK's largest urban farm and eco-park.

The Northern Roots regeneration scheme is transforming 160 acres of empty land to the south of Alexandra Park in Oldham.

Oldham Council Leader Arooj Shah said the building would be a "centre of green excellence" which "has to be the best, because that's what people deserve".

The project also includes landscaping, an events arena and a building for teaching forestry skills.

Dominique Ferriere has been helping to build polytunnels at Northern Roots in Oldham

The visitors centre will include a café, shop, production kitchen, performance and exhibition space, plus classrooms and meeting rooms.

The nearby forestry skills centre will focus on technical and land-based training, helping residents gain qualifications in sustainable industries.

Dominique Ferriere, 76, a volunteer who has been helping to build six commercial-grade polytunnels at Northern Roots in Oldham, said: "I lost my wife two years ago and I was totally lost, so I became a volunteer and it's given me a new lease of life.

"I feel young again."

Construction work is underway at the £13m visitors centre at Northern Roots

It is hoped the next phase of Northern Roots will boost skills, jobs, tourism, biodiversity and the local economy.

Kimo Morrison, from the Northern Roots charity, said the main inspiration behind the project was to bring "hope and pride to Oldham".

She said: "Why should Oldham not have something which is really special?"

Kimo Morrison is from the Northern Roots charity

Over the last two years, the Northern Roots charity has established the first phase of the Urban Farm, where volunteers grow fruit and vegetables.

Different wildlife habitats have also been created, with over 2,000 new trees, six ponds, a community garden and a wildflower meadow.

Louise Gibbs, 39, who lives in nearby Fitton Hill and works at Northern Roots, said: "At my children's school, a lot of the teachers are really eager to bring classes down and people are excited at the job prospects which are going to be available."

Louise Gibbs works at Northern Roots

The Northern Roots project is being delivered with support from the government's Town Deal Fund and Levelling Up Fund.

The visitors centre at Northern Roots is expected to open in summer 2026.