THE row over the future of Radcliffe Civic Suite has re-ignited with claims a decision to bring in a management company is “the first step on the road to closure”.

Angry Labour councillors opposing the move also say that an earlier consultation process was “flawed” and that the hall is being singled out for “differential treatment” from other civic venues.

The Radcliffe civic venue and the Longfield Suite in Prestwich had come under the spotlight during a Bury Council review into the future of the halls as a cost-cutting exercise.

Following the publication of the task and finish group’s report, councillors endorsed a recommendation to keep open Radcliffe Civic Suite and introduce a private management company to run it.

They also approved a separate proposal to keep open the Longfield Suite and put in place an “effective business plan”.

Labour group leader, Councillor Mike Connolly said: “Obviously, due to public pressure from the people of Prestwich, and quite rightly too, the council did a U-turn there. But Radcliffe is totally different.

“The council has turned round and said they’ll keep the Longfield open and have a detailed business plan. That’s fine. But why haven’t they done the same with Radcliffe? My belief is that they’re after selling Radcliffe off.

“This is the first step on the road to closure. What happens if nobody comes forward to manage it? What are the arrangements going to be — are they going to sell it? As far as I’m concerned, externalise is another word for sell-off.”

Meanwhile, Radcliffe Civic Suite Action Group has submitted seven “appeal points” to the same meeting. Among these is the proposal that a business plan could be drawn up for the venue. The group has also launched a petition demanding the decision to bring in a management company be scrapped. For further details: call 07504 364489 or email radcliffe2010@yahoo.co.uk l At last month’s full meeting of Bury Council, council leader Bob Bibby emphatically rejected claims the suite could close.

He declared: “It is the most secure suite in the borough. As far as I’m concerned, this venue is safe in the hands of the Conservatives.” He also disclosed the local authority had received “a number of unsolicited expressions of interest” in managing the hall.