Cost of empty Acorn

COUNCIL taxpayers are losing £65,000 a year from empty units at the Acorn Business Centre in Derker.

Council leader Jim McMahon said this was a luxury the council couldn’t afford.

The Chronicle revealed on Tuesday that 13 businesses had been given a month to leave the centre. The council, which leases the building, is giving it back to its owners.

Opposition leader Howard Sykes said: “One businessman has told me that that he feels badly let down by this council. He describes what he considers to be, and I quote, ‘dirty goings on’ and feels the situation is a disgrace.”

“Why were we not informed earlier that the decision had been made?”

Councillor McMahon said: “We recognise how important it is to support people through what is a turbulent time.

“But let’s be very clear this is the right thing for the taxpayer of Oldham in the long term,” he said