Talking Point Conference and Exhibition Centre - Opening 14th January 2008

Talking Point is hosting open days for businesses, former St. Paul's Church parishioners, schools and conference agents. Open days are planned for January 2008 to register your interest please e-mail your details to events@thetalkingpoint.com.

www.thetalkingpoint.com

Talking Point Conference and Exhibition Centre - Opening 14th January 2008

Talking Point has a total of 7 rooms of varying sizes. All meeting rooms benefit from an abundance of natural daylight. Each room is equipped with stylish ergonomically designed tables and chairs and all benefit from use of a breakout area or lounge.

Talking Point Conference and Exhibition Centre - Opening 14th January 2008

The Viewpoint Café Bar located on the first floor offers stunning views over the reception area below and upwards to the impressive west wall window. The lounge offers your delegates a space to meet, eat and drink during your event. Casual yet stylish, laid-back yet vibrant, the lounge boasts a flat screen TV showing the latest news events from around the world. This area is also available for you to use if you require a more informal shorter meeting with a
colleague.

The Terrace is a private break out area ideal for those using either The Summit Suite or The Boardroom. Relax in the contemporary, light-filled interior of cream and brown sofas and chairs. This area can be used for refreshment and lunch breaks, the choice is yours.

The Move - December 2007

Awe-inspiring architecture set within an idyllic country location. Talking Point Conference and Exhibition Centre is a unique training venue offering state of the art facilities. Based 10 miles from Manchester and only 30 miles from Leeds City Centre.

The Move - December 2007

First glimpse of the Focus Education office based within the Talking Point centre.

December 2007

The 2nd floor is now fully carpeted and work on the 1st floor is almost complete. The Portacabins have been removed from site in preparation for the tarmac.

November 2007

More pictures of the Focus Education office, a photograph of the main staircase and glass panels. Finally a photograph of the fire escape staircase

November 2007

Talking Point is entering its final phase and the development is expected to be ready for the 14th December 2007. Whilst the time scale for the development has doubled from the original schedule this will truly be an awe-inspiring building.

October 2007

Work in progress. An array of pictures as the work moves into the final stages.

September 2007 - Progress onsite

September 2007

Talking Point recently took delivery of its very own rainwater harvesting system. The harvester captures rainwater from the roof and is subsequently drained to enter a storage tank, where it is filtered on entry. The recycled water will be used to flush the centres toilets and help to benefit the environment.
The first round of painting is well underway along with the installation of the lift mechanism. The centre is awaiting a delivery of glass that will feature and complete work on the main staircase and on the glass walkway that extends out from the mezzanine on the 2nd floor.
The centre is due to open on the 26th November 2007.

July 2007

Originally built in 1889, St Paul’s Church, Scouthead, Oldham has undergone a £2m conversion during 2006/7 to create a state of the art conference and training venue.

To honour this historical project within Oldham, a time capsule was created to commemorate and celebrate 2007, the year this development came to fruition. The Time Capsule will leave a legacy for future generations, sharing memories, objects and stories from the present day. It will contain a host of items supplied by contributors to the development and people from the local community.

The Talking Point Time Capsule placement ceremony was held on Thursday 5th July 2007 at 11am.

Performing the formal placing of the capsule was actor John Henshaw, who recently starred in the television drama as John Prescott in the “Confessions of a Diary Secretary”. Joining him were children from Saddleworth Preparatory School, Directors and representatives from Focus Education, former parishioners, a representative from Saddleworth Nursery and the construction team.

The capsule will be positioned in the west wall of the entrance lobby. A commemorative plaque will mark its location once the centre opens in November 2007.

Contributors to the Talking Point Time Capsule include
Focus Education UK Ltd
Halsall Lloyd Partnership (architects)
Armitage Construction (contractor)
St. Paul’s Church former parishioners
Saddleworth Preparatory School
Saddleworth Nursery School
Oldham Athletic Football Club

Oldham Community Radio Station

June 2007

Delays, Delays and more delays.

The project is now officially running behind schedule, the handover date of July 2007 will be missed. A proposed completion date of the 25th August 2007 and subsequent notice for a further 2 'extension of time' has been requested. The earliest completion date for the official handover is now 9th November 2007.
During the period of July – October 2007, work onsite continued including the removal of scaffolding placed around the perimeter. The stained glass windows that have been cleaned and if necessary repaired over the last few months have been returned to site and placed back in situ.

May 2007