Westhoughton community college building will be handed over to the community, as a meeting place for local groups and a place to attend a new range of courses.
The deal, which involves the transfer of the building into community ownership, has been arranged by Bolton Council and Bolton College, working in partnership to benefit local people.
Residents want the building to remain open to benefit the community by providing a range of services, such as vocational and non-vocational courses, public services, and a place for local groups to meet and run from. The college has agreed to hand the building back and to work with local councillors and other community representatives to transfer the building into the community.
Officers from the council and the college are now working with ward members, local community groups and Bolton CVS to develop a new constituted group and an action plan to take ideas forward. This will include a consultation exercise with Westhoughton residents to find out more about what they would like to see running from the building.
The college has committed to continue as a tenant in the building.
Councillor Cliff Morris, Leader of Bolton Council said: “We are pleased that we have been able to work with the college to transfer this building into community ownership. This building is very important to the people of Westhoughton, not only as a college, but as a meeting place for the community. We hope that this transfer into community ownership will allow it to become a real community hub, hosting courses, providing public services and acting as a focal point for the Westhoughton community.”
A spokesperson from Bolton College said: “We are delighted to be able to continue in a new chapter of the Centre and retain our presence in Westhoughton.”