AFTER years of uncertainty and behind-the-scenes negotiations, Mossley Community Centre has finally secured a long-term future.
The breakthrough follows a decade of challenges for the volunteer-run charity, which has operated without the security of a long-term agreement for its home in the town’s historic Victorian schoolhouse on Roughtown Road.
Trustees say the lack of a lease has made it difficult to plan ahead, invest in improvements or expand services – despite the centre continuing to serve hundreds of residents each week.
Now, after sustained discussions between the board and Tameside Council, the authority’s Executive Cabinet is expected to formally approve an affordable 25-year lease, paving the way for major investment and long-term planning.
Those involved say the agreement has been hard won. Trustees have spent years working to secure the future of the building, navigating complex negotiations while continuing to run day-to-day services. Support from local representatives has also played a key role in pushing the deal forward.
Lesley Bill, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in renewing the lease. We can now look forward to a bright new future, working in partnership with our local community and Tameside councillors to provide fantastic community services for the people of Mossley.”
Mossley councillor Taf Sharif, who has backed the campaign, said: “This has been a long time coming, and we’ve worked tirelessly to get here. I’m immensely proud of our Community Centre – its resilience, its spirit, and all it represents. With this renewed lease and vital investment, we’re opening the door to new opportunities, stronger services, and a brighter future for Mossley.”
The agreement means the centre, based in a building dating back to 1865, can now move beyond short-term uncertainty and begin planning for the future.
Run by a team of eight trustees and around 60 volunteers, Mossley Community Centre supports more than 600 people each week through 22 regular sessions, ranging from pre-school activities to groups for older residents. It also plays host to some of the town’s best-known events, including the Spring Scarecrow Festival and the annual Christmas Tree Festival.