A group of creative and technology-minded individuals certainly aren’t ‘hacked off’ with Oldham Council after it helped them find premises in the Independent Quarter.
Hack Oldham, whose members of all ages and backgrounds meet to do interesting things, has moved into premises at 4/6 Hardcastle Street, just off Yorkshire Street.
The new hackspace* features: training facilities, a meeting space, 3D printing facilities, an electronics laboratory and wood shop.
The group aim to use the new facility as an area where people can work together to bring their ideas to fruition, to help start businesses and create new products.
The space is operated as a non-profit and is entirely funded by members and donations from the general public.
Councillor Jim McMahon, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Hack Oldham to the Independent Quarter and that we were able to help them with the move.
“Their new base will allow not only let the group members to meet and share ideas but also as it grows in size more creative and technical savvy people will be coming into the town centre – exactly what we need if the borough is to progress.
“We’ve already worked with Hack Oldham on a number of projects, such as Museums at Night in Gallery Oldham and hopefully this partnership will continue in the future.”
Andy Powell, Founder of Hackspace Oldham says: “I’ve visited several hackspaces around the world and have always been fascinated by the sense of community and positivity – I’d like to see that in Oldham.
“My vision is that people from different backgrounds will come together and do interesting things, and that the space will eventually become self-sustaining.
“These days it doesn’t take much to start a business, often people do not need money, they need knowledge and resources and that’s what we want to share.
“Many of the world’s largest companies started in bedrooms and hackspaces and it’s time to put Oldham back on the map.”
Anyone can join Hack Oldham, which currently has 30 members, and residents can pop into one of its public sessions to find out what it’s all about.
For more information on Hack Oldham log onto http://hackoldham.com/
Residents are invited to an open day at the hackspace on Saturday June 13 from 2pm until 6pm
