Council U-turn as hall is axed

Devastated . . . Christine Goulden in the hall

DEVASTATED volunteers say the council has broken its promise to keep their community hall open.

Primrose Bank Tenants and Residents’ Association (PETRA) have been told to leave the venue, used for everything from weddings and community events to police and council surgeries.

They claim the council promised that the self-financing hall, built by residents 40 years ago, would not close until a replacement had opened.

This was part of documents sent to the Government for the multi-million-pound Private Finance Initiative to rebuild Primrose Bank Estate.

But the council now wants to kick out PETRA to speed up the demolition work and save money.

Members were devastated when they received a letter this week saying they would be given a formal notice on April 4. They will have to leave by May 6.

PETRA chairman Christine Goulden said the new centre would not open until 2013 at the earliest.

She added: “I am extremely upset. The council has gone back on its promise. Apparently, one of the reasons it wants to close the centre is because there is significant cost savings. But we fund the centre, we pay our own council tax, water rates and electricity — we manage it. We are not a burden on the council at all.”

Many groups from across Oldham use the centre, which will also operate as a polling station in the local elections the day before it closes. Users include the Key to the Door charity for young parents and the homeless which runs childcare there. It has been offered alternative accommodation. But PETRA says the alternatives offered to its association — a house which would need to be refurbished, or a portable cabin — are not suitable.

Mrs Goulden added: “We are busy all the time. We do not just serve Primrose Bank, we serve the whole of the borough and people come from all over to use the centre. It’s not a tin hut centre that’s run down. It’s fit for purpose.”

Councillor John McCann said the hall’s licence can be terminated by either side with a month’s notice in writing.

He added: “The existing building is isolated and is surrounded by empty homes, which is a safety concern. That has been raised by both the police and fire service.

“This demolition will speed up the redevelopment of Primrose Bank Estate as well as reducing the cost of security and preventing possible arson.

“Council officers met with PETRA to inform them that formal notice will be issued to them on April 5 to end the licence on May 6.

“I appreciate the concern this will cause, however Oldham Council is offering support to the association including interim arrangements before the completion of a new community centre in May, 2013.

“The council expects to sign the PFI contract later this month.

“Inspiral, our developer partner, is keen to support PETRA until the new community centre is built.”