The low-level western section of the Civic Centre was originally built as offices for the housing and social services departments[1] as well as the Regional Health Authority and was completed in 1962.

[2] The facility was extended to include a 15-storey tower, designed by Cecil Howitt & Partners[3] and built by Henry Boot[4] so enabling the council to move out of the ageing Oldham Town Hall into the enlarged complex.

[7][8] The tower in the facility, which now forms the headquarters of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, is 175 feet (53 metres) high.

[10] In January 1982 Steve Davis became the first snooker player to achieve a televised maximum break in a match against John Spencer in the Lada Classic at the Civic Centre.

[11][12] The Victoria Cross awarded during the First World War to Sergeant John Hogan, who was born in Royton, currently displayed in the Civic Centre, was presented to Oldham Council in October 1983.