MP Sir Graham Brady has backed the campaign to save Altrincham Town hall for 'community use' ahead of a crunch Trafford council meeting. The Altrincham and Sale West MP has called on the Labour-controlled council to abandon plans to 'dispose' of the building - a popular venue for weddings and community events.
Sir Graham said he hoped the fact that Labour has no councillors in the Altrincham area was 'not a factor' in plans to allow a childcare business - currently based in an adjoining building - to expand into the 120-year-old town hall. He said: "When they are running the council, they should be running it in the interests of the whole borough.
"But it is true to say that this is the second time in the last 20 years we've had to fight a campaign locally to save this wonderful building and both times have been when Labour was in control at Trafford town hall." Sir Graham, who holds his constituency surgery in the building, was joined by members of Altrincham and Bowdon Civic Society and Hale Civic Society on the steps of the town hall on Friday to make their views clear.
READ MORE: Massive petition against 'disposal' of historic Altrincham Town Hall looks doomed to fail
Councillors on Trafford’s executive will determine its future on Wednesday (February 15). A huge petition bearing 2,000 names was handed in at the last full council meeting and the Altrincham and Bowdon Civic Society’s treasurer Trevor Stone made a passionate plea for the building to be preserved for public use.
The council has signalled its intention to sell the 25-year lease on the building the Juice Nursery childcare business in order to cut what it says are £60,000 annual running costs. Sir Graham and the campaigners say the council has done little to market the facility effectively.
"I think the council could actually have done more to maximise the revenue for community use," said Sir Graham. "It's a wonderful resource for the community. We have have very few spaces in the south of Trafford and Altrincham in particular, and, as with all these things, if it’s allowed to go it will be gone for good."
He went on: “I hope the council will not take something away which is so precious to people here in Altrincham when all of the community representatives here - councillors all parties as well as me as the MP, civic groups - are all lining up to say ‘no’, we demand we keep this important community facility.
"People are prepared to put in so much effort and work and to try to make sure the finances work out as well. So there’s a great resource to be called upon in local people to save a building that they love and I just hope the Labour council will listen to them.”
A spokesperson from Trafford council said: "We are reviewing the use of our buildings to ensure we are getting the best value for them and reducing costs.
"The town hall has been through the Asset of Community Value process and community groups were invited to submit viable business plans. The executive will meet soon to decide on next steps with regards to Altrincham town hall."
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