The Lyceum, Union Street, Oldham

Image: © Tricia Neal Taken: 19 Feb 2014

The Lyceum is a Grade II listed building opened in 1856 at a cost of £6,500 as a "mutual improvement" centre for the working men of Oldham. Facilities included a library, newsroom and a series of lectures on geology, geography and education, microscopy and chemistry, female education and botany. Instrumental music was introduced and there were soon 16 violinists and 3 'cellists. Eventually the building was extended to include a school of science and art. Music had always been important in the life of the Lyceum, and in 1892 a school of music was opened, with 39 students enrolled for the "theory and practice of music". The Lyceum continued throughout the 20th century as a centre for the arts in Oldham, and in 1986 the local authority was invited to accept the building as a gift. In 1989 the Oldham Metropolitan Borough Music Centre moved into the Lyceum building, which is now the home of the Oldham Lyceum School of Music. It's possible some of this information is out of date. A passer-by said it was a disused ballroom and currently up for sale! But lights were on upstairs and down, and there were blinds and curtains, so it appeared to be in use.

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