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Town Hall can’t act on social club axe deal
Eccleston Social Club closure protesters
COUNCIL chiefs have insisted their hands are tied over the Eccleston Social Club furore.
The club - formerly known as Triplex - is set to close in November after it was sold to developers Jones Homes.
The company, who bought the Knowsley Road site from Pilkington’s subsidary Ruskin Leisure, had pledged to redevelop the club if they purchased it as a going concern. But they now say because it was bought as a vacant possession they are not obliged to keep it open.
That would bring an end to its decades as a hub of community life and leave countless groups homeless.
Public anger at the turnabout is high but council chiefs say they unable to intervene.
A town hall spokesman said: “The council has no powers to intervene in the closure of a social club by its private landlord – which is a contractual issue between the two parties.
“The planning permission granted to the adjacent 10-acre site for housing does include a clause relating to the improvement of facilities at the club – but this only applies if the club is still operating.
“The council cannot insist that work is undertaken to a facility that is closed – whatever the reason for it ceasing to trade.”
Club stewart Karl Leigh said: “We feel like we have been let down.
“People are very angry and they still want to save the club.”
but .
y’ve been betrayed.”
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Weather for St Helens
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
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