Anger and disappointment after council refuses to get involved in CPS Centre dispute

INDEPENDENT Councillor Neil Johnson has hit out at Warrington Borough Council over their refusal to enter discussions with the landlords over the future of the CPS Centre.

Further to the solution proposed by Landswood De Coy earlier this week, Cllr. Johnson has now received a response from the council’s Chief Executive Steven Broomhead.

Steven Broomhead’s email says:”I am aware of the distress caused by the unfair and excessive actions of the landlord, and the wider impact that the closure of these premises will have on the community of Culcheth. Notwithstanding the challenging and sensitive nature of the issue, it remains fundamentally a conflict between private sector businesses. Disputes between landlords and private sector businesses are unfortunately not uncommon, and it is a matter which must be left with the businesses and landlords themselves to resolve.
“Whilst I have the utmost sympathy for the business owners involved in this case, and the impact it could have on their livelihoods, it is not the role of the Council to intervene in private sector disputes of this nature. Quite apart from the Council having a lack of capacity and funding to step in and resolve this matter, I would be further concerned that a precedent would be set whereby it would be expected that the Council intervenes in other similar cases of landlord and business tenant disputes across the entirety of the borough. I hope that you would agree with me that it is unrealistic for the Council to have this precedent set.”

Cllr. Neil Johnson with some of the local traders

Councillor Neil Johnson said: “I am really disappointed that Warrington Borough Council have refused to even entertain discussions with the landlords of the CPS Centre over the future of the building.
“The offer made by Landswood De Coy was not perfect, and it may not even have been ideal. No terms had been set down, just suggestions. It was however a starting point.
“A blanket refusal without any assessment of costs vs income (no guarantees, no commitments) is a real slight to all the residents, campaigners throughout our village, not to mention to the tenants themselves.
“I am bitterly disappointed that Warrington Borough Council will not even come to the table to talk. I am not saying this was a silver bullet, but I came away from my discussions with the landlords with an opening offer that I had hoped would lead to discussion and negotiation.
“I do not agree with Steven Broomhead that this would set a precedent. The Council is not obliged to get involved with private businesses all over the borough. It can decide what actions it takes in any matter on a case by case basis. I also strongly believe, as do many people throughout Culcheth, that there are special and unique circumstances which apply to the CPS Centre which do not apply elsewhere. The Council has obviously not even considered these.
“Labour councillors who claim to support the campaign to Save Our Shops should be ashamed of themselves. They have let us down. This closure is now partially on their heads.
“I will not give up the fight. I will now be writing again to the landlords to ask for another face to face meeting in the hope that we can find another way forward. As the independent voice of the people, I will do everything I can to protect jobs, businesses and livelihoods in the Culcheth community.”
Traders at the CPS Centre were served with a 28 day eviction notice just over two weeks ago on health and safety grounds.