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Miller: give me town hall and I’ll drop damages claim
Reporter: RICHARD HOOTON
Date online: 15 February 2010
Youth club plan by kitchen boss
CONTROVERSIAL kitchens boss Vance Miller wants Oldham Council to give him the dilapidated town hall as compensation for a bungled fraud trial.
He said he would turn the historic Grade II listed building, which dates back to 1841, into a youth club to benefit the borough.
The council’s investigation into Mr Miller and a 17-week trial was sensationally thrown out of court after Judge Jonathan Foster QC said it was “misconceived from the start” and “an abuse of the process of the court”.
He has ruled that the council will have to foot the bill — estimated at £5 million.
Mr Miller has stated he will sue the council for damaging his business and reputation — but is now willing to drop any legal action if the authority hands over the crumbling building, which has been left to decay since 1995.
His interest was sparked by an Evening Chronicle story that revealed an audit of the council’s portfolio of buildings and land, which includes assets worth £106 million that are not currently being used, is being undertaken to determine which should be retained, decommissioned, demolished or sold.
Mr Miller said: “I would be most interested in making use of such buildings with a view to creating some sort of leisure facility or activities for young people so much that I would even consider not seeking any further recompense from Oldham Council in relation to their recent failed case against me in exchange for a building and funding to complete such a community project.
“I would love nothing more than for the drinking/violence problems in Oldham to be reduced as a result of the council tackling the cause, i.e boredom and a lack of interests, as opposed to seeking a cure.”
He is now believed to have set his sights on Oldham Town Hall — which the council vacated in 1978 to move to the Civic Centre before it became a Crown Court for a few years and was then abandoned.
The property has been listed as endangered by the Victorian Society. Plaster ceilings in the building are falling down, water is running down he walls, wet and dry rot has taken hold, floors are dangerous, leaded windows are broken and there are huge cracks in the ceilings. It could cost millions to repair.
A council spokesman said: “Assets cannot simply be given away without there being a significant commercial or well-being justification.”
Comments
WOW I didn't think the town hall could be given away with the amount of work it needs!
Of course we can expect the coucil to disregard this as it would both save the ratepayers money and avoid the compensation case (more chance to waste money on lawyers!)
Significant commercial justification! I'd say there was one!
Stop being silly now Vance. You have the high ground thanks to cock ups by OMBC, not because you are a good man wronged.
You won't sue the Council. Just request the council give you a few quid as an out of court settlement otherwise you'll just end up looking as bad as they do.
The majority of Oldhamers aren't daft enough to think you are some sort of hero in all this.
Whats the harm in holding talks with Mr Miller on this? I think the "well being justification" may affect the boroughs council tax payers?
You have got to be kidding.... Miller will only use that building as a showroom for his shoddy kitchen empire. Oldham council should not give in to blackmail, the case was justified against Miller it's unfortunate that not enough evidence was collected. This is obviously man trying to get out of a bad situation.
A council spokesman said: “Assets cannot simply be given away without there being a significant commercial or well-being justification.” Completely untrue based on the council action in the past and lets face it miller or anyone could do a better job than the council
Instead of the Town Hall, why not give Mr. Miller the old Railway warehouse on Park Rd. After all, it wasn't that long ago the council was offering it for a £1.
WHO DOES THIS MAN THINK HE IS; I'VE NEVER HEARD SUCH RUBBISH IN MY LIFE DOES HE THINK ALL US OLDHAMERS ARE STUPID, MR MILLER SHOULD MOVE TO SPAIN.
Just because one judge threw out a badly organised court case doesn't make Miller a saint. I'm amazed so many people are supporting him - probably just to get at the council. I wouldn't buy a chopping board from this man let alone a kitchen. Council should get their act together and even appeal to a higher court about the whole rotten mess.
Oldham council tax payers have to foot the bill for this legal action. Why would theybenefit from giving away an asset like the town hall? Let this man have a long lease with permission only for youth activities in the town hall if he thinks that's the thing he wants to do.
However unless young people have free bus travel to such places then they are almost useless.
what happened to the plan of the town hall becomig the new Oldham Coliseum Theatre.
If MR Miller is reading this then turn it into the new theatre. the plan was to create the theatre but try and attract the youth of oldham by having youth groups, internet cafes, just spaces for young people to "chill in"
. i will be happy to assist him seen as its taken nearly 5 years for the council to decide what to do with it.
What on earth has Spain done to deserve him Pat? Moreover, how can someone with his reputation possibly have had it 'damaged' by the council? Surely he managed that all by himself some time ago.
To put it bluntly, but delicately, Mr miller is extracting the urine.
Amazing, Vance Miller comes up with a reasonable idea,not beyond the realms of reality, and Pat Wynn wants him exiled to Spain. Why Spain ?
What a good idea get the kids riding around the Old Town Hall and some dodgy off road quad bikes.
OMBC cannot simply give away assets but can waste millions of pounds of taxpayers money, doesn't make sense to me. I would say give him the town hall and if he does make it into a youth club at least somebody will benefit. As it is the council will probably have to pay to have it demolished in a few years if it is such a bad condition as they claim.
I had the same thoughts as Mikejh45 why not give him the old Park Road warehouse? i have been watching that buildings steady decline for the past 15 years and it really is so sad when it could be put to good use again.I think that the council will be happy when all the listed buildings are beyond saving !! money in the pot for the land then .!!!!!
what a clown! we are already getting a youth centre in the middle of town! what are his plans!
Well said, ProDriver. I fully agree.
The town hall will need a lot of refurbishment. Does Mr Miller intend to use solid wood or chipboard to carry out the repairs? I think if this goes ahead it will be the first time since Latics won promotion to the Premier League that I will have returned to the town hall steps to bare my backside!
OK, the Council made a complete hash of Vance Miller's trial - and several there should pay with their jobs for that error - but that should not make Mr.Miller a hero and a champion of the Oldham people.
I wonder what most peoples' feelings towards Mr.Miller were before the trial was aborted ?
A council spokesman said:“Assets cannot simply be given away without there being a significant commercial or well-being justification.” - who is this Council Spokesman?
Where has he been for the last ten years?
Obviously not in Oldham
Miller? Town Hall? You're having a laugh Vince dear boy. If you were to get such an asset no doubt the quality of workmanship needed would need to be outstanding. I think your idea might be more in line with the quality of the Kitchens you have had so many complaints about.
OMBC may have made a mess of the proceedings against you but it doesn't hide the facts that are well-known, and widely reported.Nice attempt to get further publicity though.
Most of the comments on here are slagging Vance off, if i was you Vance don't bother trying to get the town hall and make something of a delapidated building, sue the council for millions then watch all the moaners on here then moan about their council tax going up to pay for your compensation, GO VANCE GO good luck
Take the money Vance, most towns need facilities for young people, places like Salford Lads Club might be glad of your help, go where you will be appreciated.
Have Your Say
GOOD ON YE MR MILLER BEST OF LUCK,SHOW THE COUNCIL HOW TO GO ABOUT THINGS THAT MATTER.
By watcher @ 15/02/2010 12:30:23