TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington have hit back over claims by campaigners that tenants at Walton Gardens have been given notice to quit.
In fact, none of the occupier groups have been given notice to quit nor leave by the end of the year, says the council’s 
chief executive, Diana Terris (pictured)
Earlier this week, Malcolm Eldridge, spokesman for the Save Walton Garden campaign group, claimed organisations and individuals operating in Walton Gardens had been told they must leave – despite the development proposals for Walton Hall being called in for scrutiny and officially put on hold.
He said the owner of the Cycle Museum had been told he must be out by the end of the year.
But Mrs Terris said all actions relating to Walton Hall and its estate had been put on hold.
She said there were currently four formal “occupier groups” – the Bicycle Museum, Warrington Gun and Rifle Club, the Model Railway Club and the Bereavement Consultancy.
Meetings had been held with the four groups to update them on the situation and listen to feedback.
But none of them had been given notice to quit, nor told they must leave.
No notices to qu it would be issued until, and only if, the decision to press ahead with re-development of the site went ahead.
Mrs Terris all four occupiers were keen to explore what would happen to them and their premises if the plans went ahead.
“I would hope that the dialogue with our estates team helped at least to inform and potentially reassure them that nothing will happen at all while the decisions of the executive board are still subject to call-in.
“I am sure that, had we not taken the time to meet with these organisations now to try and address their concerns, we would equally have faced criticism for failing to engage or keeping our tenants informed of the process.”
Council hits back over Walton Hall claims
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
7 Comments
Why do they allow a gun club on council property?
The gun club has been there for years. What does it matter if it is on council property? It’s not like they are running around Walton Gardens or hiding behind trees shooting squirrels. As for the councils claim that no tenant has been told to leave…….. I can’t imagine that Mr Eldridge or the owner of the cycle museum would just make it up ? Consfursion maybe ?
I ask the question Dizzy because whenever you hear of these people who go round shooting people (such as the one in Cumbria) they are always members of gun clubs. I just wondered why it was on council property as I beleive it used to be just over the bridge on Knutsford Road
It’s on council land because the council rent it to them. The gun club, which apparently had no permenant home, took over the old unused piggery building on the estate and they refurbished it and turned it into an indoor shooting range. Not sure how many years they have been there for but prior to that they used to use the T.A. ranges in Warrington. OK so I looked at their website http://warrington-rifles.8m.com 🙂 …………… Personally I don’t like guns of any sort even air rifles or bb pellet guns 🙁 but surely it’s better to have clubs such as this than people doing target practe in their gardens EEK !
As for the Cumbrian man … he may have been a member of a gun club but I very much doubt that it made any difference or swayed his decision to kill people in any way. Ther are many many 1000’s of people who are members of such clubs but who would never turn a gun on anyone. Thankfully !!
4 words for Ms Terris.. we don’t believe you..
I don’t believe them either, however it would be nice if a spokeperson for one of the organisations was approached to give their spin on things.
If you were one of the 4 ‘occupier groups’ would you want to speak out and give your spin on things if it was negative against the council / developers plans or actions. I’m not sure i would at this stage with all the uncertainty of wether I would be allowed to stay on or forced to go. The Council and developer are at the moment the string holders in any decision and if the plans go ahead it may be a good idea to keep on the good side of Contessa the developer as they will be the ultimate force in deciding what they do and don’t want staying on, or returning to, the estate !!! Gun Club should be ok though as those rich enough to afford a break in such a lavish hotel probably enjoy a bit of shooting…. maybe they are looking to expand the existing facility and will include a clay pigeon range.