Shared vision to find positive future use for former heritage centre

A SHARED vision to secure a positive future for the site of the former Park Bridge Heritage Centre has been discussed between Tameside Council and residents.

Waterloo ward members met with the Park Bridge Residents' Action Group last week to discuss their hopes for the site, which has been closed as a visitor centre since 2010 and not been used since 2020.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Finance and Resources Cllr Hugh Roderick, who also attended the meeting, said: “We welcome the residents group coming forward and we will work with them to develop their plans as we explore all options to safeguard the heritage of the site.

“We value the location’s heritage and, while we’re proposing to market the Park Bridge Centre to understand potential market interest, our preferred route would be a community led approach that is financially viable and makes the most of the location.

“The centre has been closed as a visitor centre since around 2010, with use since then on an ad hoc basis for dedicated school workshops until early 2020. Over the past five years the property has remained vacant and, due to current financial pressures, there is no budget available to occupy. The available maintenance budget is also greatly reduced, putting the building at risk should a large repair cost be required. While our property disposal programme is in place to identify opportunities for development and income for the borough, it is also a means to ensure that we can find sustainable ways to safeguard our heritage sites.

“Across our properties, we are keen to work with groups like Park Bridge Residents Group to ensure we are supporting our communities and protecting our heritage.”