And the winner is...bidders will have to wait

THE future of Royton Assembly Hall still hangs in the balance, as prospective purchasers who made sealed bids eagerly wait for the result.

The deadline for bids passed on Friday, and administrators Begbies Traynor LLP are charged with opening them and informing the successful new owner.

Oldham Council leader Jim McMahon confirmed the council had “expressed an interest,” and it is believed there were a number of bids made.

The council is only allowed to make a bid to match current market value, and Councillor McMahon warned it did not have a blank cheque book.

He told the Chronicle: “We did submit a bid on Friday, but we have not heard back whether it is successful or not.

“It could be that we are given the opportunity to match the highest bid.”

He added: “The administrator who has been dealing with it was on leave on Monday, and we are hoping to hear before the end of the week.

The unexpected wait is another twist in a long-running saga which saw the hall standing empty and unfinished after work by Manchester-based Whispers ground to a halt.