COUNCIL chiefs at Warrington are being asked to take on a £1 million loan to finance an urgently needed project to upgrade the kitchens at Walton Hall to enable it to continue providing catering and hospitality worth £500,000 a year.
The scheme would also provide new toilets in a purpose built sports pavilion serving the pitch and putt, crazy golf and other facilities
Some estate buildings would be redeveloped for lease to further and higher education specialists Myerscough College as a training centre.
A report to be considered by the council’s executive board next week warns if the improvement work is not carried out immediately, the council could be exposed to food safety and health and safety risks and Walton Hall may not be able to continue as a hospitality and catering venue.
This would result in the council losing income of £500,000-a-year.
The board will also be asked to pursue a longer term vision for Walton Hall and Gardens as a regional visitor centre.
The concept is to create one of the North West’s premier historic estate attractions with:
* Hotel, hospitality and golf
* Conference, exhibition and business venue
* Training, education and biodiversity centre
* Public gardens, sculpture park and outdoor events venue.
About half a million visitors already visit Walton every year.
The report by strategic director of environment and regeneration Andy Farrall says the council does not have the resources to return the hall and its estate to its former glory so it will have to work with agencies such as English Heritage, Visit Chester and Cheshire and the North West Development Agency, as well as attract private sector investors.
But although private investment may be necessary, it is the firm intention to keep the gardens open to the public.
Walton Hall was built in the 1830s by the Greenall brewing family. It was acquired by the council together with 171 acres of grounds in 1941.
*See Opinion – link below
COUNCIL chiefs at Warrington are being asked to take on a £1 million loan to finance an urgently needed project to upgrade the kitchens at Walton Hall to enable it to continue providing catering and hospitality worth £500,000 a year.
£1 million rescue plan for Walton Hall
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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.
