The hidden beauty of the Greater Manchester town dubbed one of Britain's 'most miserable'

Oldham gets a bad rap at times. The town’s been dubbed one of the most miserable places to live in Britain. And between the heavy impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the area, and years of‘ toxic politics’ - it’s not hard to see why some aren't feeling optimistic.

But, on a sunny day in Oldham centre, framed by the Pennine hills, the town reveals a hidden charm.

Oldham locals are among the harshest critics of their local area. They’ve seen first-hand how rising costs and the pandemic have hit the high streets hard, while rents have risen and local services have struggled to keep up with demand.

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And even though efforts to revive the centre are ongoing - with a new market building, food hall and entrance to the high street in the works - there are, in common with many towns up and down the country, complaints of decline.

But, quizzed on their hometown by the M.E.N, Oldhamers speak of the beauty - and the pride - in the backdrop of 'Greater Manchester's unhappiest town'.

“I feel at home here,” Werneth resident Mary admitted, after initially saying there wasn’t 'anything good' about Oldham. The 80-year-old emigrated from Ireland in 1976 with her two-year-old son. “I travelled all over England and my family are spread all over the place. But I settled here”, she says.

Devon Wilkshire, 28, has lived in Oldham for ten years, first in Hollinwood and then in Derker. He thinks Oldham locals ‘don’t appreciate what they have’.

“I grew up in Cheetham Hill, which is quite a deprived area,” he said. “I grew up looking at all the skylines being built up in the city centre and soaking up all the pollution. Whereas here my kids