IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Old Street, ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE, OL6 7SR

Network Connect is a voice and data communication technology company http://www.networkconnect.co.uk/ They are based in the former office block of Egret Mill on Old Street - built in 1864, the oldest part of a mill complex that dated from 1823. An adjoining 5-storey spinning block was destroyed by fire in 1881 and replaced by weaving sheds, the last part of which were demolished in 2013. http://www.ashton-under-lyne.com/history/cotton.htm For a photograph from 1910 see http://ashton-under-lyne.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/monochrome-moment-egret-mill.html Doorway detail: Image

In a new building at the corner of Old Street and Bentinck Street in the St Petersfield development is the Tameside Centre for Enterprise which according to its website http://www.tcfe.co.uk/ has been established to create new businesses and support existing businesses in Greater Manchester. "The Centre offers incubation space and support for people starting new businesses, accelerator programmes for growing businesses and conference facilities including meeting rooms. Through practical support and flexible development space, our mission is to create a new generation of entrepreneurs and promote business growth."

Detail around the door of the former Egret Mill offices Image

On the left is the former swimming baths Image, now a business centre Image In the background is St Peter's Church.

A popular music venue on Old Street. It lies on the edge of the St Petersfield development and (unlike the Friendship Image) was threatened with a CPO and demolition. It fought to be retained and was successful. The pub was known in 1850 as the Painters Arms and was a meeting place for local masons. It was sold to Oldham Brewery in 1897. Between 1886 and 1893 it was called the Rifle Brigade before reverting to the Painters Arms. In 1897 to became the Globe Inn. In 1985 it became one of the "Fighting Cock" group of free houses and renamed the Gamecock. In 1988 it was bought by John Dyson who renamed it the Witchwood.

The Witchwood is a public house and has been a hub for live indie and rock music since the 1960s. In 2004, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council served a compulsory purchase order on The Witchwood as plans for the regeneration of the surrounding area required the building to be removed. After a campaign to save The Witchwood, supported by regular customers, local amateur musicians, businesses and live venues, live music fans from across the country, Ask Developments – the company regenerating the surrounding area – agreed that The Witchwood would not be demolished on condition that "the exterior would be re-rendered and new windows put in". Witchwood website: http://www.thewitchwood.net/

Looking East along Stamford Street West. A few years ago it was a busy thoroughfare with terraced shops and houses on either side. At one time it continued past Oldham Road into the centre of town as can be seen in the background. The whole area is now part of the St Petersfield development. On the right is a carpark. On the left is a new building house various offices of which many are involved with different aspects of health and social care.

New housing on Bentinck Street.

The Witchwood, a bar and live music venue on Old Street, appears to have survived as the new St Petersfield development grows around it.