As the national Heritage Open Days loom large, historic buildings across the region will be playing their part, celebrating the area's rich heritage and opening their doors to the public.

Two of Tameside’s treasures, however, where the doors to the public remain firmly closed are the iconic Ashton Town Hall and Hyde Library.

Both have languished in different levels of disrepair for years, closed for safety reasons.

But in recent weeks, the doors to both have swung open as civic dignitaries conduct fact finding missions as they reveal their hopes for the future for the buildings.

Donning hard hats, high viz jackets and boots, Ashton MP Angela Rayner joined Tameside Council Leader Ged Cooney along with local councillors to tour Ashton Town Hall, once a splendid events venue, meeting chamber and home to the Museum of the Manchester Regiment.

Ashton MP Angela Rayner and Tameside Council Leader Cllr Ged Cooney

Ashton has secured a sum of £20m ‘Levelling-Up’ cash from the government, part of which will fund improvements to the historic hall, which opened in 1840 but closed in 2015 for the Tameside One development. 

The £20m won’t all go on the town hall, but other town centre developments including the Ashton Interchange and public realm. However, it will fund repairs to the outside of the building and roof, with the ultimate aim to restore the hall to its former glory and open it again.

Over at Hyde Library it is a different matter where the building has degenerated into a state that is totally beyond repair.

STATE OF DISREPAIR: Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds joins Tameside Council Leader Cllr Ged Cooney and Hyde councillors as they tour Hyde Library

Lead from the roof has been stolen, leading to extensive water damage within the site, with gaping holes in ceilings and floors making it a major safety hazard.

Critics state the building should have been better protected by the council for the future and even Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds lamented the heartbreaking state of its disrepair as he toured the site, saying he would have liked to have seen a decision about its future made sooner.

However, Cllr Cooney says he is determined to lead an era of ‘transparency’ in his new role as leader of the council - revealing the state of the buildings to the public and discussing those very plans for the future openly now.

Hyde Library is up for sale with plenty of interest in the site, he says, and it is hoped the historic facade might be retained in any future development.

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