Funds boost for former park changing rooms

Mossley Town Council has committed funding to encourage the community to take over the former changing rooms on Egmont Street, within the King George Playing Fields.

The single story building has been disused for some time and although believed to be basically sound, has suffered from vandalism. 

Tameside Council wish to dispose of the building and Cllr Stephen Homer has been in negotiations around the retention of the building for community uses. 

“Tameside has agreed that we can have time to develop the idea as they would rather see it go back to a community asset. 

“I have been discussing this idea with local organisations, but as we all know the Covid-19 pandemic has hit their ability to take on new ventures.”

He continued: “We see this as support for a range of activities on the site and a possibility for community café.”

The council has allocated £10,000 to start the ball rolling. This would help to assess the building and provide seed funding for any group looking to take it on.

Council Chair, Frank Travis, said: “This is a real opportunity for improvement and this contribution can be used to attract match funding for other sources. New and existing groups have problems raising finance for projects, so this gives them a flying start and confidence from the outset.”

The council stresses that there needs to be a sustainable plan in place before the funds are released and it’s agreed with Tameside as part of the deal.

Cllr Pat Mullin, who has also looked at the scheme, added: “We would like to include in time the potential of the whole Egmont Street site, including opportunities for more family and sports activities and protection of the natural environment along the canal and river.” 

Interested individuals or groups should contact the clerk to the council on 07809 690890 or email theclerk@mossley-council.co.uk.

Main image:

RUNDOWN: Egmont Street changing rooms.

Read more from the Tameside Reporter

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper