A COMMUNITY group has been given the go ahead to make a business case proposal to take over the running of a former library building.

The Atherton Centre on York Street has been empty since Atherton Library moved into the refurbished town hall in December 2018.

A number of community groups combined to form Atherton Community Trust (ACT) and approached Wigan Council to consider a community asset transfer.

Last year, ACT requested more time to progress their business case to run the centre and a report about the site’s future due before the cabinet was deferred.

The group has been given a deadline of May 1 to make their case.

Cllr Nazia Rehman, cabinet member for finance, resources and transformation at the council said: “We’ve listened to the concerns of the group and to local councillors who have put the group's aspirations forward and we want to give the interested party the chance to put a full business case together.

“The building needs significant investment to bring it back into viable use and it won’t be an easy task.

“We have worked with the group for a long time to explore the option of a community asset transfer.

“We know that the community are keen to develop new community facilities and hope by giving them this chance they are able to pull together a sustainable business case which will secure the long-term future of the building.”

Other councillors have given their support to ACT too.

Leigh Journal:

Councillors John Harding, Nazia Rehman, Debra Wailes and Chris Ready outside the Atherton Centre on York Street

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Atherleigh Labour councillor John Harding said: “Residents in the south of Atherton area are in the Atherleigh ward and, as one of their local Councillors I have fully supported the Atherton Community Trust being given the opportunity to develop a Business Plan for a community asset transfer of the York Street building.

"When this item was first put on the agenda for the cabinet to discuss, both councillor Debra Wailes and myself contacted councillor Nazia Rehman to ask for the item to be deferred pending giving the community a chance to apply for the building.

"When the item was again due to go to cabinet I again met with senior council staff to support the case for community asset transfer and last week we summoned councillors Rehman and Ready to the York Street building to discuss the matter with them”.  

Atherleigh Labour councillor Debra Wailes said: “I have fought to keep this building for the community since it was first going to be considered for disposal by the council.

"Myself and Councillor Harding explored a variety of ways to make a renovated building pay its way and we sought the advice of the Community Borough Partnership to give us an insight into a cost effective way of achieving this.

"Atherton has a uniquely vibrant community and I firmly believe that we should strive together to secure this building for all generations.

"We have an influx of new residents who would also, I’m sure, appreciate  all the amenities this building could provide.

"Together with the renovated town Hall, it would be a centre for everyone to enjoy”.

Atherton independent councillor Stuart Gerrard said: "This is positive news that finally the council have allowed the community trust to submit a full business plan.

"I hope the community and the council will give them every support in making the transfer a reality.

"All councillors have given the trust their full support on this matter and challenged decisions when it looked like the buildings where to be auctioned off, these buildings have been an integral part of community's past, and I feel can be again for current and future generations."