Community plans for former Wigan club

People power could see a building turned into a community centre.
Coun Steve Jones with partner Courtney Bampton, daughter 11-month-old Lilly and sister Becky JonesCoun Steve Jones with partner Courtney Bampton, daughter 11-month-old Lilly and sister Becky Jones
Coun Steve Jones with partner Courtney Bampton, daughter 11-month-old Lilly and sister Becky Jones

There are hopes that a group of residents can realise this ambition at The Diamond Club on Grey Road.

The group, who already run a shop at Bryn Cross called the Bryn Support Centre, which sells cheap food to help families in the area, have placed their interest in the club.

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Coun Steve Jones, who set up the non-profitable group with his partner Courtney Bampton, said a community centre om the area is “long-needed”.

And Coun Jones said the council have put the building up for a five-year lease and are inviting groups to place interests.

He said: “Bryn Support Centre are delighted to announce we have placed our interest in The Diamond Club, off Old Road, to create a long-needed Bryn Community Centre for all ages.

“The council have put the building up for a five-year lease and are inviting groups to place interests.”

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If successful, the group will create a “pay as you feel” cafe using foods from their shop, while the Friday night youth community boxng club would also be moved to the venue.

Bingo nights and festival events, as well as a youth club, will also take place.

Coun Jones has encouraged people wth ideas for the community centre to come forward and contact him.

He added: “Please let me know what things you would like to see in a new community centre.

“The council now have four weeks to consider applications.”

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The group’s support centre opened up in July at the former Bryn Veterinary Centre in Downall Green Road.

Items such as bread, milk, vegetables, turkey and ham and non-perishable goods such as pasta and tinned foods are available for a small cost.

They have done so to help struggling people in Bryn, which they said is a deprived area like many, and to provide support to those who will struggle from the “recession that is likely to follow the coronavirus crisis”.

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