News is breaking about fate of the Buile Hill Park Museum in Salford, which has been closed for over 15 years.
Salford Red Devils Foundation, the community and charitable arm of the Super League club, are eyeing a potential move into the building along with several other local community groups.
The imposing building, which sits at the back of Buile Hill Park in Salford, was built in 1827 and designed by Sir Charles Barry, the architect who designed the Houses of Parliament.
It was once the home of Sir Thomas Potter, the first Lord Mayor of Manchester and co-founder of the Manchester Guardian, the forerunner of The Guardian.
Since its closure in 2000 there has been much speculation about the future of the building including it becoming a ’boutique hotel’.
Salford Red Devils’ former chairman John Wilkinson won permission in 2008 to open a £9m hotel, but investment never materialised and the Museum has been left empty since.
It was last being used for the Lancashire Mining Musuem.
SalfordOnline.com spoke to John Blackburn, a Director of Salford Red Devils Foundation who has been in to see the museum along with local radio presenter Simon Williams.
Williams, who runs community-focused Sounds of Salford radio, has his eye on the museum as a potential new home for his fledgling station.
The forceful community campaigner, who has appeared in the pages of SalfordOnline.com more than once, has plans to expand to offer internships in editing and radio production.
Other groups showing interest are Salford art and heritage groups including The Lost Streets of Salford, The Irwell Valley Mining Project and a local armed forces veterans charity.
John told SalfordOnline.com: “Remarkably the building is still in pretty good condition inside.
“This is despite the fact that vandals have stolen the lead from the roof which has caused some water damage.”
The Georgian mansion house has a grand entrance with columns flanking the main door.
All the windows have been boarded up and part of the rear of the building is obscured by overgrown grass and trees.
The smaller, newer building to its right, the Buile Hill Park Hall, is currently used as a meeting place and events space for local community groups.
It is not thought to form part of the plans.
“Our plan would be that the building would be used by various community groups in Salford,” said John.
“We would use our area for a Salford Red Devils museum, a ticket office or information bureaux.
The possibilities are endless.
“The biggest issue would be obtaining funding to purchase the building and bringing it back to its former glory, I would estimate the repairs would cost in the region of several hundred thousand pounds.
“We intend to make Heritage Lottery Grant bids and see where else we could obtain the money to make this our dream location.
“If we could bring this building back to life and have other community groups involved with us it would be amazing and fingers crossed that we can purchase this lovely piece of Salford’s history and throw its doors open to the public.”
Councillor Paul Wilson, who represents Weaste, said: “This is fantastic news, and its great that a listed building may be saved for future generations.
“There may also be financial benefits for the local authority to save money on the building’s upkeep and repairs.
“I look forward to working with any community groups that will be involved.”
