Hollingworth Community Rallies To Save Village’s “Beating Heart”

Residents in Hollingworth are rallying to bring their long-lost community centre back into use, hoping to transform the derelict building into a vibrant hub for all ages.

Campaigners say the project could restore a vital focal point to the edge-of-Tameside village, which many feel has missed out on investment enjoyed by neighbouring areas.

The Hollingworth Community Centre has stood empty and in disrepair for a couple of years, with moss-covered roofs, a neglected car park and a deteriorating interior. A building condition survey, released as part of the Community Asset Transfer process, estimates that around £140,000 of remedial works are required, largely to the exterior. The report also calls for an additional structural survey and a specialist timber survey amid concerns about possible dry rot, raising the prospect of further costs before the centre can safely reopen.

Despite the challenge, the local group Friends of Hollingworth says the response from residents shows that “the heart is already beating”. After council leader Cllr Eleanor Wills met with residents and backed the idea of restoring the centre to the community through a Community Asset Transfer, volunteers quickly launched an online hub called The Hive to drive the bid forward. Within a week, The Hive attracted 182 members, over 70 people completed surveys on how they would like to use the space and 42 residents have already offered to help run classes and events.

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Survey responses reveal strong demand for a multi-purpose venue that can serve education, leisure and wellbeing needs. Ideas include a youth club, playgroup, mental health and wellness sessions, fitness activities, a café and courses to help residents move into the jobs market. Campaigners argue that, with a population of around 2,500 at the last census, Hollingworth now more than ever needs a central space “run for and by the community”.

Verity James, from Friends of Hollingworth, believes bringing the centre back into use would restore “the beating heart” of village life. “Hollingworth really feel that they haven’t been invested in,” she explains, warning that many locals are determined not to see the building bulldozed. She says the group is in early discussions with various organisations and is appealing both for skilled volunteers from roofers to carpenters and for financial backers willing to support the restoration.

Securing capital funding remains the major hurdle. Grass-roots groups like Friends of Hollingworth often struggle to raise large sums for building works, which is why the team has pinned hopes on Tameside Council’s Pride in Place Impact funding. The scheme identifies as a key priority the creation, extension and refurbishment of community buildings and enabling groups to take ownership of under-used assets, a description that fits the Hollingworth project precisely. Campaigners hope a share of this funding can “kick start” the refurbishment and make the centre a sustainable long-term asset.​

In the meantime, organisers are urging residents and businesses to get involved. Locals are encouraged to join their page on Facebook and complete the community survey and come forward with offers of practical help or sponsorship. “Anyone that can offer any help to get this back up and running, we would be really grateful,” says Verity. “We can’t do this alone and will need the support of Tameside Council and the wider community to get this vital project off the ground.

Follow their updates, search ‘The Hive Hollingworth’ on Facebook.