Accrington Web - Fire Station Sale

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Acrylic-bob

24-02-2005 16:18

Fire Station Sale

The Observer reports that the Fire Station in Manchester Road was sold to an unnamed buyer this week for £385,000. The top estimate before the sale was £90,000. Lancs CC must be rubbing their grubby little hands with glee.

park381

24-02-2005 16:24

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acrylic-bob

HeHe the estates dept at LCC could never get their figures right :eek:

lettie

24-02-2005 16:57

Re: Fire Station Sale

Hmmm, wonder when the Wetherspoons 'pole dancing' club is opening then? :D

park381

24-02-2005 17:43

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by lettie

Hmmm, wonder when the Wetherspoons 'pole dancing' club is opening then? :D

Well there is a Bar in there, and a full size snooker table at 1st floor level, and don't forget the dormitory, a lick of paint an they're in business...........The new nite spot of accrington, would be handy for any problems though, police an magistrates next door.
:bar:

fireman

24-02-2005 20:09

Re: Fire Station Sale

Or maybe that big green dome on top of the hose tower!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

park381

24-02-2005 20:21

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman

Or maybe that big green dome on top of the hose tower!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nah, don't spoil it, the hose tower is detached from the main building,would'nt be big enough :D

andrewb

24-02-2005 21:07

Re: Fire Station Sale

Rummer has it that the buyer is going to set up a fire service in competition with the fire brigade on hynburn road... *badum tish*

fireman

24-02-2005 21:10

Re: Fire Station Sale

Any jobs going?

mani	25-02-2005 02:17

Re: Fire Station Sale

WOWW!!!!!!!!

i thought it wud go for 150K at the most

WillowTheWhisp

25-02-2005 07:24

Re: Fire Station Sale

I'd never have expected it to fetch that much either Mani. I'm all agog now wondering what it will become.

mani	25-02-2005 11:49

Re: Fire Station Sale

yeah

and hte fact it was bought by a nameless company...

strip joint wudnt b too bad ;)

probably offices though

WillowTheWhisp

25-02-2005 12:13

Re: Fire Station Sale

Maybe flats? Do you think that's a possibility?

park381

25-02-2005 15:26

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

Maybe flats? Do you think that's a possibility?

Could be, but don't you think parking would be a problem,is it not a listed building along with the Magistrates and nick?

Acrylic-bob

25-02-2005 15:42

Re: Fire Station Sale

It is listed Grade II, so they can do what they like with the inside, subject to planning consent, but they cannot alter the outside.

park381

25-02-2005 18:16

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acrylic-bob

It is listed Grade II, so they can do what they like with the inside, subject to planning consent, but they cannot alter the outside.

Well then, there's the answer..............a drive through, large doors at front, large doors at rear...............Get yer Big Mac here............just a thought

WillowTheWhisp

25-02-2005 22:58

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by park381

Could be, but don't you think parking would be a problem,

Isn't there a yard round the back? Well they managed to fit fire engines in so they could have inbuilt garages.

fireman

26-02-2005 00:36

Re: Fire Station Sale

Their is a big yard and a lot of ancillary buildings

park381

26-02-2005 06:42

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

Isn't there a yard round the back? Well they managed to fit fire engines in so they could have inbuilt garages.

Yes there is a large yard at the back, but the fire engines lived inside the station, that is the inbuilt garage

Retlaw

26-02-2005 21:14

Re: Fire Station Sale

What I would like to know is how come it was sold by Lancs County, when did they aquire it. In 1940 when the National Fire Sevice was formed, Accrington became one of the stations in the North West Division. In 1948 when things were over Lancashire County Fire Brigade was formed, at what point did they aquire the title deeds and who surrendered them. As far as I'm concerned it is still Accrington's Fire Station. Those who have purchased it must not know much about its history. The building was built on unstable ground and has some large cracks in it, which were neglected for years. the usual excuse "lack of funds". Who ever has bought it is in for a shock when they get to know the lay out and what they can do or not do inside.

Retlaw.

park381

26-02-2005 21:20

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retlaw

Hi, It was all Lancashire Fire Service, and yes the building did belong to LCC.

Retlaw

27-02-2005 19:42

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by park381

Hi, It was all Lancashire Fire Service, and yes the building did belong to LCC.

You still don't say when and how they aquired title to the building. the fact that Lancs County Fire Service was on the machines, doesn't make the building theirs.
The new Fire Station and the machines do not belong to Lancs County.

As for the old building I worked in it for 30 years.

Retlaw.

park381

27-02-2005 19:43

Re: Fire Station Sale

Does anyone remember any of the Station Officers over the years, one that springs to mind was Station Officer Hogan, he was a character.:)
Sorry just seen your post, if you worked there for 30 years, you must have some good tales about the Station Officers.

park381

27-02-2005 19:49

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retlaw

The whole building belonged to LCC, that included Mags. & Police Station. The new building ,don't know about that one, was it not built using Private money, and leased back to the fire service

fireman

27-02-2005 20:08

Re: Fire Station Sale

in what capacity did you work their park

park381

27-02-2005 20:40

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman

in what capacity did you work their park

No did'nt work there but worked for LCC

WillowTheWhisp

27-02-2005 23:14

Re: Fire Station Sale

There must be records on the deeds of who actually owned the building.

Yes, I know the fire engines lived inside the building. I often saw them in there. That was why I said they could have built in garages for cars if they made it into flats. (If there wasn't enough room for parking in the yard round the back.)

park381

28-02-2005 07:52

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

There must be records on the deeds of who actually owned the building.

The estates section used to deal with all that, including any building that was purchased or leased.

Retlaw

01-03-2005 23:20

Re: Fire Station Sale

I Knew all the Firemen, Leading Firemen, Sub Officers, Station Officers, Station Commanders, Assistant Divisional Officers, Divisional Officers, Assistant Chief Officers, Deputy Chief Officers and Chief Officers, from 1957 onwards. I know many tales, yarns, stories and lots of other things, but some of them might take umbrage at having their little secrets divulged.

Retlaw.

I would still like to know how Lancs County aquired title to Accrington Fire Station, probably one of those things some one doesn't want light shining on it.

fireman

02-03-2005 07:18

Re: Fire Station Sale

did you know CHARLIE ROBINSON

WillowTheWhisp

02-03-2005 07:43

Re: Fire Station Sale

Did you know Frank McVan?

park381

02-03-2005 08:20

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retlaw

I would still like to know how Lancs County aquired title to Accrington Fire Station, probably one of those things some one doesn't want light shining on it.

It would be the same as when Blackburn with Darwen was formed, all the LCC buildings including schools etc. within the boundries of the new authority were handed over to Blackburn with Darwen. Even the building I was working in (Jubilee st offices) was handed over. That is how the local education offices came to be in the "Globe Centre" in Accrington, along with the Property Group. LCC also helped fund that part of the "Globe Centre"
Were the schools and other services not under the borough (Accrington) pre 1974, after 1974 they all came under LCC (same thing)

Retlaw

02-03-2005 22:22

Re: Fire Station Sale

As I said I knnew all the people in the brigade from 1957 onwards, Charlie Robinson was Acting Sub Officer A.F.S. Training till they disbanded the A.F.S. Then Charlie came on to B Watch.

Retlaw.

fireman

03-03-2005 08:26

Re: Fire Station Sale

CHARLIE ROBINSON WAS MY DAD.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retlaw

As I said I knnew all the people in the brigade from 1957 onwards, Charlie Robinson was Acting Sub Officer A.F.S. Training till they disbanded the A.F.S. Then Charlie came on to B Watch.

Retlaw.

Retlaw

03-03-2005 22:38

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman

CHARLIE ROBINSON WAS MY DAD.

Then you know who I am. I became the Fire Brigade Union Rep when Cliff Talbot retired.

Retlaw.

fireman

03-03-2005 23:16

Re: Fire Station Sale

no i dont remember although i new cliff talbot

Retlaw

08-03-2005 20:35

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

Did you know Frank McVan?

Hi Willow. As I said I knew every body. I was the Fire Brigade Union Rep. Just before I retired I was the Acting Brigade Union Rep. So not only did I know all those at Accrington, but I knew a lot of the men in the other 48 Fire Stations.
Retlaw.

Acrylic-bob

06-04-2005 04:46

Re: Fire Station Sale

Well, thanks to the Observer we now know what it will be used for. According to the Observer, Andrew and Fiona Thompson plan to turn the Grade II listed building into a school for "struggling children" for which I think we must read Chavs. It will be renamed the Phoenix Centre and will accomodate up to 50 children aged between 11 and 16 years.

They said " We see the school as being a centre of excellence where we can help children achieve in both academic and non academic subjects, thus giving them the confidence to integrate into the community and develop into adulthood."

On the face of it I suppose that these are laudable aims. But you can bet that with a purchase price of £385,000 and goodness knows how much investment required for conversion and maintenance of the building the Thompson's will be expecting to make a hefty profit on the deal. I wonder who is going to end up footing the bill for this latest attempt to clean up after irresponsible parents? Apparently, according to Mr Thompson, there is no shortage of children requiring this sort of provision.

Gobsmacked

06-04-2005 07:01

Re: Fire Station Sale

Shouldn't it be up to the education authority to teach children? Even struggling ones? Who are these people that they can afford to create a school like this on a private basis?

Neil	06-04-2005 07:30

Re: Fire Station Sale

At least the kids won't have far to go for court appearances.

park381

06-04-2005 08:45

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

At least the kids won't have far to go for court appearances.

True, brings back memories that. Had a contractor working on the roof there whilst the courts were in session. Clerk of Court sent a PC on the roof with the threat, " stop that noise or we will lock them up for the day, for contempt of court" So contractors had early finish, and worked weekend to complete job.:eek:

Acrylic-bob

24-06-2005 13:45

Re: Fire Station Sale

A bit of an update to this story is carried in the announcements of Planning Applications on page 43 of this week' Observer.

Mr A Thompson appears to have undergone a change of heart and had second thoughts about his philanthropic decision to open a school for our dissafected and dysfunctional children. The planning application is to request permission for a "change of use to form 15 apartments".

Clearly he is coming to regret his rash decision to bid £385,000 for a property that Lancs CC was only expecting £90,000 for.

Greed is a terrible thing!

WillowTheWhisp

24-06-2005 14:00

Re: Fire Station Sale

I wonder who was bidding against him at the time.

Acrylic-bob

24-06-2005 14:03

Re: Fire Station Sale

I don't suppose that we will ever know.

cashman

24-06-2005 14:56

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

I wonder who was bidding against him at the time.

wonder if it was P.B. snigger snigger.

park381

24-06-2005 16:22

Re: Fire Station Sale

Think if he gets planning permission for 15 apartments, he will more than get his money back. May be thats what he intended to do in the first place

Gayle

24-06-2005 17:51

Re: Fire Station Sale

I too had heard that it was going to be a private school. We already have a private school in Accrington so I'm not sure how they thought it was going to be viable. Unless the plan was that the kids going would be funded by LCC, i.e. had been expelled or refused from every other school in the area and so had to be placed somewhere else. Funny thing is though that I had heard that it had already got the nod that planning permission would be approved for the school long before it had technically been submitted.

I didn't know that the plans had changed - I knew nothing about the flats idea, so now I don't really know what the situation is.

park381

24-06-2005 20:02

Re: Fire Station Sale

Yes gayle, I think we all read the article in the observer, but when you think about it, a prime site close to town centre, 15No super flats all with parking space off the road. The man has got to make pots of money. If he has got to the stage of planning applications, then he must have involved an Architect for provisional layouts. In fact if he gets planning permission, he could put the site back on the market and get a quick return on his investment, and walk away well in pocket.

Neil	24-06-2005 21:51

Re: Fire Station Sale

Car access is very poor for dropping off and collecting children. I would have thought that alone would stop planning permission for a school.

park381

25-06-2005 07:10

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Car access is very poor for dropping off and collecting children. I would have thought that alone would stop planning permission for a school.

Thats true, but the yard area at the back of the building would provide good parking for the residents of the flats. In fact the ground floor engine bays would also make for off the road parking, with large doors to front and rear.

Gayle

25-06-2005 08:08

Re: Fire Station Sale

I think you're missing my point. It's not really possible to get the nod about planning permission in advance of submitting it unless you have an insider who would be able to authorise it when it was submitted. One would have to question who would be in that sort of position of power and who would benefit from it?

Although, as you point out, that is a moot point now because the planned usage has appeared to change. Don't be surprised if that's not the full story though.

park381

25-06-2005 08:28

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle Knight

I think you're missing my point. It's not really possible to get the nod about planning permission in advance of submitting it

I don't think so, if the guy has employed an Architect, a chat with HBC's planning officer for the area ( by that I mean the technical officer) before the application is submitted will give them a good idea if the scheme has a chance of the green light from the planning committee. At the end of the day the "Planning Committee" normally accept the recommendations of the Technical Officers, since the "Committee" is made up of normal non-technical people.

Gayle

25-06-2005 09:08

Re: Fire Station Sale

Fair point. May be I'm being a bit over cynical on this one. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for now but I still wouldn't be surprised if something else emerged from this!

fireman

25-06-2005 09:46

Re: Fire Station Sale

As I said Right at the begining watch the top of the hose tower for a lerge green dome with stars on it .

harwood red

25-06-2005 11:21

Re: Fire Station Sale

I would have been suprised if it was anything other than apartments for resale.

KiTChener

25-06-2005 11:43

Re: Fire Station Sale

Is it me being cynical, or is there a definite whiff of rodents around here??

Bagpuss

25-06-2005 12:43

Re: Fire Station Sale

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiTChener

Is it me being cynical, or is there a definite whiff of rodents around here??

Most things to do with Hyndburn Council has a sniff of rodents, remember the £35,000 that Mr Jones wanted to tell us about but then backed off, why ???

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