This Is Cheshire

Hall sale aids church plas

From the Guardian Series, first published Thursday 28th Nov 2002.

MAJOR improvements are earmarked for St Mary's Church in Alsager, funded by the proposed sale of the church hall.

The hall has been closed for more than a year after it was discovered the electrics were unsafe and the roof was leaking.

Repairing the building would have cost between £70,000 and £150,000, and it was decided to sell the hall and much of the car park.

Money from the sale is due to be used to create the facilities lost by closing the hall in the church itself.

One of the main aims behind the proposals is for the church leaders to have only one building to maintain.

Plans are due to be drawn up for the development of the hall site, although the hall building would remain.

The plans will include a new car park, crèche, kitchen, lavatory and storage area in the church, disabled access and rewiring and relighting the church.

"The Diocesan Board of Education, which owns the hall, has given permission to dispose of the site and undertake development as may benefit St Mary's, particularly in respect of our work with children and young families," said Reverend Robin Isherwood.

Architect John Carter is to draw up outline plans for the various schemes, and the hall could be put on the market early next year.

"There will be no commitment to any building work or the commissioning of any further, detailed plans until we have received the income from the sale of the hall," said Mr Isherwood.

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