Hollingworth Community Centre Offered to Local Groups

A former community building in the heart of Hollingworth is set to be offered to local organisations after the Council confirmed it no longer has a use for the site. 

Hollingworth Community Centre, a single storey building on Market Street, was previously home to the First Longdendale Scouts for 20 years and has stood empty since the group surrendered its lease earlier this year.  

Following a recent Cabinet in the Community event where residents asked for more local facilities, the Council is proposing to declare the building ‘surplus to requirement’ at their Cabinet meeting on 26 November 2025 to enable them to then invite expressions of interest from community groups who may want to take on the building through a Community Asset Transfer and secure its future.  

A Community Asset Transfer is where a community organisation can take a lease from the Council for a nominal rental on a new 20-to-25-year lease, with the community organisation responsible for the occupational costs of the building.   

Councillor Hugh Roderick, Executive Member for Finance and Resources, said: 

 “We know how important community spaces are for local people, and we’ve listened to the views given following the success of our recent Cabinet in the Community events. By offering this building through a Community Asset Transfer, we hope to give residents the chance to create something positive for Hollingworth. Any group taking this on will need a strong plan to make it sustainable, and we’re keen to see what ideas come forward.” 

Following the assessment of expressions of interest, successful applicants interested in taking over the building will be asked to submit a full application, together with a supporting business case as part of the process. 

To submit an expression of interest, contact alistair.russell@tameside.gov.uk