Prestwich’s popular Longfield Suite community centre has been reprieved by Bury Council.

A statement issued today by Bury Council has confirmed that:
“This be retained in its current format, but an effective business plan be put in place to improve marketing, awareness, usage and income. The group considers that it can build on and promote its reputation as a venue for dance activities, which have proved popular and which help to ensure that local residents have access to health and well being activities. Around 72% of Longfield Suite users who responded in the survey said they used the suite for dancing events.”

Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate Vic D’Albert who was at the forefront of the campaign, commented,

“This is great news for Prestwich and sends a strong signal to Bury Conservatives that people are proud of their local community faciities.The strength of feeling for the Longfield Suite was clear for all to see from the start, all except Bury’s Conservative administration who once again thought they new best.

“I now urge Bury Council to work with Prestwich councillors, Prestwich Area Partnership and local people to find a long term solution and put together a sustainable business plan for the centre.
“Furthermore I would make a plea to this Conservative administration to stop trying to sidestep the democratic process and dialogue with Councillors. Months of campaigning and wasted officer time and resources could have been saved. We told Bury Council at the start what their precious “Task and Finish Group” have admitted today.

“And I have to question the judgement of the leader of the Council. Back in November he was brave enough to attend a public meeting I had arranged. At that meeting 300 local people told him to stop this nonsense, if only he was brave enough to listen to local people and admit their mistake then.

“I must also congratulate the 1000′s of people that signed the petition, the 1300 who completed the Council survey and all those local people and Longfield centre users that fought so hard to keep the facilities as they are. Truly a great example of local people power in action.

“Finally I am dissapointed that todays announcement still leaves the future of Radcliffe Civic Hall in doubt. I would call on Bury Council to work with Radcliffe councillors and local residents and users to look at a positive way forward for this important local asset. As the end of the day, if we lose these facilities we aren’t going to get them back any time soon, so we need to make the most out of them and ensure they have sound business and marketing plans at the heart of their management.”