Bringing the magic of similar food hall concepts such as Mackie Mayor and Altrincham Market to Oldham, the historic Egyptian Room at Oldham’s Old Town Hall has been completely transformed into a new food and drink hall, giving residents a new place to drink, eat and socialise. The new addition will join an Odeon cinema and a Nando’s restaurant which already reside within the Grade II-listed space.
Housing six casual dining-style food stalls, the new concept is set to inject a new lease of life to Oldham’s dining scene, providing a lovely, casual and open space for people to drink, dine and catch up with friends. It’ll even feature a similar feel to successful food halls such as Stockport’s Produce Hall and Altrincham Market, with modern touches highlighting historical features, independent food traders and long benches for people to share.
Plans were approved back in March 2021, with work on the fit-out of the unit beginning a fair while ago, and now The Egyptian Room is set to open this autumn. The six vendors set to join the food hall include pizza purveyors Ply Loves Pizza, Cambodian and Asian kitchen Kambuja, burgers and gyros from The Last Stop (also found at The Salmon of Knowledge), Caribbean food from Seacoles and crispy fried chicken dishes from Wings of Power. Diners can also expect sweet treats and delicious baked goods from Sticky Fingers, who are also based at Stockport’s Market Hall.
Oldham dwellers can expect a bar and a central seating area alongside the six food stalls. Catering for around 150 people, the Grade II-listed space will offer indoor seating as well as a new mezzanine area. Plus, there are plans for a lovely terraced area outside on Parliament Square – which will be perfect for the summer months.
The fit-out will see the Egyptian Room within the Old Town Hall in Oldham converted into a bespoke contemporary food hall, all while preserving its historic character and original features. The Egyptian Room, which dates from 1841, is described as “a prime example of restoration of Victorian architecture with historical significance”. It features original decorative glazed wall and column tiling, parquet and terrazzo flooring, plastered ceilings and original arched windows and doors.
Oldham Council Leader Cllr Arooj Shah said: “We can’t wait for Egyptian Room to open with one of the most exciting new eating and leisure offers anywhere in the region! Securing a regionally renowned operator like The Northern Lights Group is a massive win for Oldham. They have chosen to invest here and backed our plans to revitalise the town centre and our hospitality and entertainment sector.
“This combination of a building featuring stunning restored Victorian architecture with a cool new venue is something extra special. It’s a great attraction to bring local people and visitors into the town, particularly on evenings and at night – boosting our local economy.”
The once derelict Old Town Hall is already home to a seven-screen Odeon cinema, Nandos, Molino Lounge, Bittersweet and Costa Coffee, following redevelopment in 2016. The Egyptian Room will open its doors from November 1. Find out more here.
📍The Egyptian Room, The Old Town Hall, Yorkshire Street, Oldham, OL1 1RA.