Fears over derelict former Withins pub as council responds

The former Withins pub has been the subject of concerns from people living nearby for some time.

Residents have reported people gaining access to the building and questioning why it has been allowed to remain in a state of disrepair for years.

The derelict site now

Bolton Council owns the freehold of the site but says the building is subject to a long-term lease held by a third party, which is responsible for its security, condition and management.

Residents say windows have been boarded up while an entrance at the side of the building appears to have been secured with a makeshift door.

There are also concerns that young people and homeless people have been entering the premises, prompting fears someone could be seriously injured, as youths climbed the pub roof.

The issue was previously raised by Cllr Sean Fielding, who said the council had found itself paying to secure the property despite believing this should be the responsibility of the leaseholder, in his call for action over the former Withins pub.

He said: “It is not for the council to use taxpayers’ money to secure properties under the responsibility of a third party.

“However, due to the irresponsibility of the leaseholder at The Withins, this is what the council has found itself doing, with the cost of this added to the rent bill.

“Unfortunately, those who are breaking into the site have proven to be very determined too, and security measures installed have rarely been a match for them for any length of time.”

Cllr Fielding also called on residents to report anyone they see breaking into or damaging the property to the police.

He added: “I will continue to work constructively with the council officers to try and bring the site back into productive use, as this is ultimately the best way to stop antisocial behaviour here.”

But residents say concerns remain about the condition of the site.

Katrina Oldham, a Breightmet resident, said she had previously asked about a number of derelict buildings and whether they could be brought back into community use.

She said: “I have asked about several buildings left derelict to be brought back into community use.

“I got a vague list back saying that all the properties asked about have only just come back into the council’s hands.

“The buildings have been derelict for years and could have been being utilised for the community, but they simply refuse to give anything to this community.

“It’s disgusting.”

She also said she had spoken to a woman and her son, who has learning difficulties, after they had collected rubbish from around the site at the weekend.

The rubbish collected

According to Ms Oldham, they were left disappointed when the rubbish was not subsequently removed.

Residents have questioned what is being done to resolve the long-running situation and whether more can be done to prevent people from entering the building.

A make-shift door was spotted at the site

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “While the council owns the freehold on this site, the long-term lease is held by a third party.

“This third party is responsible for the security, condition and ongoing management of the building.

“We are aware of local concerns relating to the building and we have met with the leaseholders to raise these issues.

“In the meantime, the council has used its Building Safety and Building Control powers to ensure the structure does not present an immediate risk to the public.

“The cost of these measures will be recovered from the leaseholder.”