Patience runs out on Assembly Hall

LEGAL action . . . Royton Assembly Hall

Legal proceedings after owners fail to meet council chiefs

OLDHAM Council is taking further legal action against Royton Assembly Hall’s owners after they failed to attend talks over its future.

A meeting had been due to take place yesterday but Whispers Developments failed to appear.

Council leader Jim McMahon had previously arranged talks on June 15, but the owners cancelled.

He said: “The continued lack of a meaningful response from Whispers is evidence that they are either indifferent as to the blight the hall is having on the community or simply not competent enough to sort it. Either way, our patience has run out.

“Today I have instructed officers to begin court proceedings against the developer and — while I am keen to be open to dialogue with the building owners — they should be under no illusions as to our resolve in bringing this saga to an end.

“This matter is a priority and we will not budge from that stance.”

The council reached an agreement with Whispers that the company would provide funds and take agreed actions to complete the works at the hall within a set timescale, but these requirements were not met.

The owners claim to have already spent over £1 million on the property.

Councillor Stephen Bashforth said: “The failure of Whispers to turn up for this meeting is an insult to the people of Royton.

“On numerous occasions over the years Whispers have repeatedly ignored our pleas to sit round a table and discuss the hall’s future.”

Kwok Wong, who runs Ree Ming Chippy in Royton, thinks the hall is an eyesore and has been empty for too long.

He said: “My son and daughter used to have their Christmas concerts there and it was a good venue. Now it’s juts empty but it would be a good place for band concerts or events.”

Councillor Howard Sykes said he has received information from the council which is identical to what he received in March, regarding what can and cannot be done about the building.

He said: “It could cost up to £1.5 million for the council to sort this out and that is if Whispers will sell — do Labour intend to buy the building back?

“If they are not planning to, they need to tell us what else they will do to sort this out or stop giving people false promises.”