S I T TI BI

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Registered at the Post Office as a Newspaper Est. 1893

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THURSDAY, 6th MAY, 2010.

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INSIDE: OUR COMPREHENSIVE PROPERTY GUIDE FEATURING LOCAL ESTATE AGENTS

Metal thieves sentenced

Mum jumps to it for son Readers' Views Pages 18-20 Page 48

Page 24

What’s on... What’s gone...

Pages 14-17

Late licence for pu

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Town could have a hotel — against residents’ wishes

By Kelly Harris Congleton residents have made it clear that they do not want a hotel in the town centre, but were warned that they

Don’t forget to use your vote

It’s decision day at the ballot box in the General Election. And if you have registered to vote you can exercise your democratic right at the local polling station from 7am-10pm today (Thursday).

The seven candidates in the Congleton constituency are: Peter Hirst (Lib Dem), David Bryant (Labour), Fiona Bruce (Conservative), Lee Slaughter (UKIP), Paul Edwards (Independent), Adam Parton (Independent), Paul Rothwell (Independent).

could end up with one if rival plans are not submitted.

At Tuesday’s annual town meeting, just one resident out of 60 voted for Scarborough Development’s plans, which include a 92-bedroom hotel.

In favour Residents voted in favour of a rival town centre plan from the Jameson Group, but those plans have not yet been submitted to Cheshire East Council.

The council is due to reach a decision about the Scarborough plans by the end of the month, and could be approved unopposed if Jameson did not submit its plan.

Residents protested that the hotel was not only too large but also unnecessary. Cuddly character Bookstart Bear enjoyed a cheery chapter at Congleton Library on Thursday. Budding bookworms including four-year-old Scott Whittaker had a story to tell their friends after enjoying bear hugs with the national bookstart day mascot during the library’s 35th birthday celebrations. For the full story and another photograph, turn to the back page. (“Chronicle” photo.

• —Turn to back page.

1804b/10).

Under-used community centre could be saved by youth support group

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Fellowship House could become a centre for Congleton’s young and old if one local charity has its way.

Youth organisation Visyon is planning a move into the Park Road building, whose future some fear could be in doubt, and turning it into a “community wellbeing centre”.

Visyon wants to make better use of the hall, opening it up to the wider community including youth clubs, parenting clubs and organisations for the elderly.

Fellowship House is currently only used by elderly and disabled groups for a few hours a week.

Visyon, whose offices are in Market Square, was set up in Congleton in 1994 and is dedicated to improving the lives of young people.

Cheshire East Council, responsible for Fellowship House, has been looking into different ways to keep it open, following a drop in demand.

At a public meeting in March the council said there were no closure plans, but that it was becoming difficult to justify keeping the community centre open when it was used just two days a week.

One option was to transfer responsibility for running it to Congleton Town Council, which has declined the offer.

Now local community groups are being asked if they want to help run Fellowship House and have until next Friday, 14th May, to make their case to the council.

Visyon believes it will be a perfect location for the group’s new home as its Market Square office is likely to be demolished as part of the town centre’s redevelopment.

Our home Chief executive Joanne Speed said: “We know we have got to find suitable new premises. We would prefer to stay in Congleton, because we started here in 1994 and we feel it is our home.”

She said a move to Fellowship House would mean the premises being self-financed while its future would be assured.

Mrs Speed added: “We would look at maintaining the usage of the current occupiers. We would bring other community groups on board and have them start using the hall.

“The building is the perfect location to run young people’s activities as it is right near the park and the leisure centre.

“We see it as an asset to Congleton.”

However, she said the process would not be a speedy one and could take five years.

Visyon would apply for community grants to re-furbish

Fellowship House.

Congleton Town Council has agreed to support the plans. Mrs Speed said any othe groups interested in the proposals can call her on 01260 290000.

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