Geograph - photograph every grid square

The Radcliffe Times newspaper began in 1897. This building, which was erected in 1899 on Church Street West, has stood empty for decades since The Radcliffe Times was merged with the Bury Times Group from whose Bury offices it now operates. Not obvious from the photo is that the rear elevation of the building descends two floors to reach the level of the River Irwell.

The building fell into near ruin over the past few years; it was gutted by a fire in 2009 and, in January 2017, a section of the roof collapsed following high winds. However in 2018, planning permission was granted to turn the derelict site into 10 one-bed apartments keeping its original façade intact, providing much-needed affordable housing in the area while utilising a prominent town-centre brownfield site.

The work, which is now almost complete, is part of Bury Council’s scheme to regenerate Radcliffe town centre. Once completed, the apartments will be owned by the council and made available at “affordable” rents.

See also SD7807 : Radcliffe Times Offices.

Link The Bury Times