The long-awaited Northern Roots site in Oldham will open to visitors on 19 September, the partnership behind the project has confirmed. The scheme, delivered by the Northern Roots charity in conjunction with Oldham Council, converts around 160 acres of underused land next to Alexandra Park into what is described as the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park.
What visitors will find
At the heart of the development is a new Welcome Centre which includes a café, shop and production kitchen. The centre also offers two flexible spaces intended for school groups, community events, meetings, exhibitions and small performances. When fully open, the site will feature an expanding network of accessible green spaces, orchards, community gardens and food-growing areas alongside nature-rich landscapes.
Ambitions for health, learning and the local economy
Northern Roots is intended to use nature to support health and wellbeing, education and community cohesion. Over the coming years the project aims to become a hub for volunteering, training and local enterprise. Targets set out by the project include:
- 300,000 visitors a year by 2030
- 4,500 school visits annually
- More than 300 nature-based ‘health prescriptions’ each year
- 150 volunteering placements
- Support for up to 40 new businesses and creation of between 60 and 80 jobs
Alongside social and educational goals, the development is expected to deliver environmental benefits, including new woodland and wetland habitats, renewable energy generation and the storage of tens of thousands of tonnes of carbon.
Food and training on site
Visitors will be able to sample produce from the site. Renowned Manchester chef, food writer and restaurateur Mary-Ellen McTague has been appointed as the project’s chef partner. She will lead menu development for a farm-to-fork food offer and will assist with recruitment for key café roles, including the head chef post.
Practical information and local impact
The opening day on 19 September will mark the first opportunity for the public to explore the Welcome Centre and the initial areas of the park. Over the following months and years the site will roll out a year-round programme of events, volunteering opportunities, education activities and wellbeing initiatives designed to help people connect with nature.
| Site | Planned outcomes |
|---|---|
| Land area | 160 acres beside Alexandra Park |
| Visitor target (2030) | 300,000 per year |
| Jobs supported | 60–80 new roles |
The project is one of the most ambitious of its kind in the UK and has been five years in the making. For Oldham residents and community groups, Northern Roots offers new spaces for learning, volunteering and small-scale enterprise. For those curious about hands-on opportunities, the project intends to provide training, apprenticeships and employment routes that prioritise local people.
Further details about specific opening events, visitor facilities and how to sign up for volunteering or school bookings are expected from Northern Roots and Oldham Council in the coming weeks. The launch on 19 September will be the first public milestone for a site that aims to knit together nature, food growing and community activity at a scale not seen before in the borough.
