ATHERTON Town Hall is to become a community hub to bring services together.

The hub will be the new home for Atherton Library as well as a ‘Life Centre’ where people will be able to speak to the council’s staff and partners for general help and advice.

There will also be health services in the hub, such as smoking cessation and weight advice, along with community groups and services such as family support, employment advice, online courses and support for the elderly, among others.

Cllr Paul Kenny, the council’s cabinet member for resources, said: “This is fantastic news for Atherton. It will mean a range of services will be brought together at the heart of the community in Atherton.

“Creating Atherton’s community hub shows our commitment to work with the community to deliver the services that are needed by residents and their families, rather than spending money on running costly buildings.”

The council’s cabinet approved the plan for Atherton Town Hall last Thursday.

As part of its Deal for the Future, the council consulted with the public about their thoughts on placing services in a convenient location for residents and their families.

In the consultation more than 70 per cent of residents supported the idea of hubs.

Atherton resident Alan Grundy said: “I think it’s a good idea.

“The Town Hall is doing nothing at the moment, so it would be good to bring it back into use.

“I would like to see full-time opening hours for the library.”

Once the Atherton Town Hall hub is open it is proposed Atherton Centre and Library could then become a location for other public and health services, creating a campus of services for the community.

Residents in favour of the plans include Karen Sturt, who lives in Hag Fold and said: “It sounds like a great idea.

“At the moment everything is scattered here, there and everywhere.

“If everything was together in one place I know friends of mine would definitely use it.”

Meanwhile Gordon Chorley, who has lived in Atherton for 30 years, said: “I think it’s a good idea.

“It’s close to where I live. I probably will use it once it is up and running.”

Cllr Karen Aldred said: "Amongst constant government cuts and constant pressure to sell off our prized assets council officers have been working very hard behind the scenes to regenerate our small towns.

"All Atherton and Atherleigh Labour Councillors have been asking for Atherton Town Hall to become a focal point for the Atherton community again.

"Under constant barrage of allegations and rumours Wigan Councils officers have worked with Labour Councillors and service providers and have been active in delivering a community hub project that will be rolled out throughout the borough.

"Again Atherton has been chosen as the pilot so let's all rally together and show everyone in our Borough that we can make it successful."