A DISUSED community building in the centre of a Tameside village may soon be revived.
Local organisations are set to be invited to take over the venue in Hollingworth and bring it back into use.
The Hollingworth Community Centre – a single-storey building that previously housed the First Longdendale Scouts for two decades – has sat empty since the group handed back its lease earlier this year.
Now after residents raised concerns about the lack of community facilities during a recent Cabinet in the Community event, the future of the Market Street building is back on the agenda.
Tameside Council plans to declare the site ‘surplus to requirement’ at its upcoming Cabinet meeting on November 26, which would open the door for community groups to express interest through a Community Asset Transfer.
The process allows a local organisation to take on a long-term lease at a nominal rent, while taking responsibility for running and maintaining the building.
“We know how important community spaces are for local people and we’ve listened to the views given following the success of our recent Cabinet in the Community events,” said Councillor Hugh Roderick, Executive Member for Finance and Resources.
“By offering this building through a Community Asset Transfer, we hope to give residents the chance to create something positive for Hollingworth. Any group taking this on will need a strong plan to make it sustainable, and we’re keen to see what ideas come forward.”
If the recommendation is approved, community organisations will be invited to submit an initial expression of interest, which will then be assessed. Those shortlisted will be asked to produce a full application to demonstrate how they would manage and maintain the building long term.
Groups interested in putting themselves forward can email alistair.russell@tameside.gov.uk for more information.