Tesco extension spells end for hall

THE death knell has been sounded for a community hall in Failsworth after plans to extend Tesco were approved.

Whitekirk Hall will be demolished to make way for the 3,093sqm extension to Tesco Extra on Oldham Road/Ashton Road which opened in July, 2007.

The vandalised hall is boarded up but Failsworth Area Committee passed a resolution on Monday that it should re-open and remain open until a new community centre is provided.

As revealed in the Chronicle yesterday, a £30m town centre development of apartments, shops and a community centre has now been delayed because of the credit crisis.

Oldham Property Partnership (OPP) — a joint venture development company between Oldham Council and Brook House Property — submitted the application for the Tesco extension. It argued that the hall was in poor structural condition with limited kitchen facilities, outdated heating, and no on-site parking or disabled facilities.

“It is outdated and insufficient,” added OPP.

Councillor John McCann said its was a disgrace that Tesco was not required to contribute any money towards a community centre.