Fresh new plans for a historic building were unveiled at a special opening evening.

The future of Westhoughton Town Hall was discussed with plans put forward to open 12 offices in the building to bring the 120-year-old site is brought back to life.

If approved the plans would leave to a management company running the spot but the local authority remaining in charge.

The town hall has long been seen at as a potential spot for regeneration in Westhoughton.

The proposal would cost £3.5million and would take a year to complete.

The plans were unveiled at a meeting in the nearby Westhoughton Library.

But some residents who attended were left disappointed feeling that the area had been given a raw deal.

One Westhoughton resident who attended the meeting, said: "There is no community spaces, the community asked for that.

"We have not got what we asked for when we got taken over by Labour."

Concerns were raised by a management company, running the building.

"We wanted a car park but we are only getting a small one," added the resident.

The Bolton News: A meeting took place

Elizabeth Carr, another Westhoughton resident who attended the meeting, said: "I want to see council services here.

"You have to go to Bolton for things like that and not everyone can do it."

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Local councillors also had a say on the matter and also had reservations but said they were glad to see the building would be maintained.

The Bolton News: Cllr David Wilkinson had his say

Councillor David Wilkinson said: "I understand where people are coming from.

"The thing is every council building has to pay its way.

"For every £1 that was in local government we are 60p down on that.

"There are examples up and down the country of public buildings being used like this.

"I can see that it does have potential."

Councillor Martin Tighe said: "My main concern is that there is nothing for people not working in it.

"There are plaques of former mayors and fallen soldiers in it.

"The main benefit is that is being restored.

"I would like to get in touch with the police and the NHS to see if they can do things like seasonal vaccines here."

 

The Bolton News: Cllr Martin Tighe had his say

The heritage of the building would be preserved under the plans.

There is also restoration work to the council chamber, but the library and Carnegie Hall are not included in the plan.

Plans for a cafe have not been completely ruled out.

When the plans were put forward there was interest in a cafe, a cinema, a gym and Greater Manchester Police having a spot in the hall.