ROSE Leisure will honour all pre-booked occasions at Formby Hall, it has been revealed.

The community hall, which has recently been sold to Hilldale Housing Association, has been the centre of controversy after it was reported to be closing down at the end of the month.

However it has now been revealed that the building will remain open and that Rose Leisure will retain the licence for the near future.

Formerly owned by Wigan Council, the building was sold on to Rose Leisure with a condition of sale that stated that the building had to stay open for community use for five years from sale of purchase — this condition expires in March, 2016.

New owners Hilldale Housing Association spoke about the possibility of Formby Hall becoming an ‘Extra Care’ facility for older people, but said they had "no immediate plans to do anything".

They also said the site would "still have some communal facilities" but "didn't have any immediate plans to do anything".

The news that the community hub will remain open for pre-booked events has been welcomed by Atherton councillor Martin Aldred.

He said: "This is more of a positive outcome than we thought possible after reading the news over the past few weeks.

"Labour councillors have been proactive in trying to find solutions to the issues raised, the key to moving forward is to try and find solutions to support the groups that use the hall.

"We are happy to announce that the Remembrance Day parade will continue at Formby Hall this November. We are, however, in need of volunteers to help with refreshments, which will be funded by Wigan Council."

Chairman of recently re-formed group, Atherton Residents Association, Stuart Gerrard said it was "great news in the short term". However the group will be looking to secure the hall's future indefinitely.

Mr Gerrard said: "Obviously we would like to see Formby Hall stay as it is.

"It is great news that it is being kept on by Rose Leisure in the short term but we are still looking to long term future plans.

"It's not that people don't like change, Formby Hall its a hub of the community, it's where friendships are formed, it's a place where people meet and if it goes it will be another big blow."

Atherton Residents Association are meeting at the Atherton Arms at 7pm on Tuesday July 28 to discuss Formby Hall and future plans for the town.

Members of the public are welcome.