It’s ta-ra to housing plan as leisure centre stays

TAG team . . . Carl Winstanley (left) and Jordan Smithies

SHAW’S only leisure centre has been saved from the bulldozers after being taken over by new management.

In March, last year, the Chronicle revealed that the owners of Tara Sports and Leisure had submitted a planning application to Oldham Council to build 46 apartments and 14 town houses at the Grains Road site.

With business dwindling, owners Tara Properties had decided to develop the site for housing. But the credit crunch and subsequent housing downturn has forced a rethink.

The renowned venue will now stay open with new management taking over separate leases for the bar and function room and sports centre and gym.

Jordan Smithies and Carl Winstanley, two 24-year-olds from Shaw who have experience in the club management and hospitality industry, have taken over the sports side.

Vinny Caira, from Royton, who has years of experience in the brewery industry, is in charge of the bar, snooker hall and function room.

Mr Smithies said: “There were plans about a year ago to shut the site down — it was going to be a development for housing.

“But with the downturn in the market, the owners decided to split the site, with the bar on one side, the gym on the other, and lease them separately.

“We are doing it up and we have made our changes.

“In the last year, it’s been run-down a bit because people were told that it was shutting and were cancelling their membership. We have been in for two weeks and have signed up 40 members so it’s all good.

“We are keeping the same name as we know Tara is established, it’s just letting people know the housing scheme is scrapped and it’s staying open.”

The sports centre boasts a hall for football, badminton and other activities; a gym; dance studio; sunbeds and a steam room. The pair have added a coffee shop and protein and nutrition bar.

The bar was well-known for hosting a variety of entertainment, including live bands, comedy nights, boxing and darts tournaments - and was the venue for Shaw’s Beer Festival.

Mr Caira said: “I took over the snooker and function room in November.

“The owners have decided not to do anything for three years. Everything is just as it was.

“The gym side never closed down, it was the snooker and function room that was closed for about six months and I have had to build that up again.

“Business is OK and the function room does very well.”

Housing plans received a mixed reception when they were unveiled with some residents concerned about parking and the loss of a valuable leisure facility but others saying it would vastly improve a tired site.

The sports centre is open from 9am, while the bar is open from 5pm weekdays and noon at weekends.

Anyone with membership queries or wanting more details for the sports centre should call 01706- 291 425.