Liberal Democrat Councillors Derek Hefernan and Garth Harkness have called for Oldham Council to do everything they can to make a deal with LimeKiln Café at the Brownhill Visitor Centre in Dobcross. The Café have put in an offer to buy the building but it has not been accepted yet.
Councillor Garth Harkness said: “We did not want the Council to sell the Brownhill Visitor Centre building. But Oldham Council decided to do so anyway. We then called on the council to do everything possible to allow the Café to buy the freehold. Oldham council should keep discussions open with the café to try to sell to them.
“There is concern over the future of the Café, Car parks and toilets if it is sold to someone else. The Saddleworth North Councillors are clear that the Café , toilets and car park should not be put at risk by any sale.
Councillor Derek Heffernan added: “The loss of this provision as a meeting place for many groups as well as toilet facilities will be a serious loss to the area. If someone other than LimeKiln Café buy this then the toilets need to be kept open and the Café allowed to continue trading there. This needs to be written into the agreement. There is £50,000 required to replace the faulty septic tank, therefore it is likely the toilets will be closed.”
Councillor Garth Harkness continued: “The Café would like to continue running the toilets and carpark as they are at the moment – free and for the public – and to develop the upstairs as an exhibition and function space for the community. There is a petition to keep the toilets open. The Liberal Democrats support this proposal.
“If the café do not buy it then their future would not be in doubt for the near future and the toilets would need to be kept open. During any sale it needs to be made clear that there is a clear responsibility for the maintenance of the toilets and opportunities for community use.
“We need to support our community and keep the Cafe, toilets and car park as it is.”