CHARITY bosses are promising a fresh start for a multi-million pound community hub hit by money fears.

The Bolton News revealed last year that funding for All Souls Church in Astley Bridge, which has undergone an award-winning £5 million transformation in recent years, was set to run out in 2018.

The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT), which carried out the renovations, will now take over the governance, operation and management the church from October 1.

The CCT says that All Souls is not in debt but does require more income to stay afloat, so has had to 'review its strategy and business plans to ensure the sustainability of the centre as a community asset'.

Local organisations are now being encouraged to make use of the building so that it can continue to operate as a community and business centre.

However, councillors fear that the future of All Souls could still be bleak.

Cllr Guy Harkin was appointed to the church's board last year, but has been left in the dark about the CCT's plans.

He said: "I was nominated by the council to be on the board last year, but I have had no communication whatsoever.

"I was invited to the retirement of someone who works for the CCT in London, that is the only time they have contacted me.

"People said I was being negative about All Souls, but right from the outset I did not see how it could wash its face.

"Maybe when the Labour government was spending money on all sorts of things, this kind of project might have worked.

"But the whole of the business model was justified on seminars, conferences, and training — those are areas where budgets have been massively cut back in recent years.

"I wish the CCT well and I hope they can succeed because it is an iconic building. But, with my background as an economist, I just don't see it working."

The CCT says that the centre's business plan has 'changed quite considerably' and it is hoping to make savings in areas such as insurance and maintenance. A spokesman added that the centre was 'fine, but could be great' with better management.

Crispin Truman, the CCT’s Chief Executive said: "I’m particularly proud of what’s been achieved at All Souls Bolton, one of CCT’s flagship regeneration projects.

"This wonderful building is in a very disadvantaged area and it is asking a lot of the local community to run such a project singlehandedly, particularly in a time of financial stringency.

"The support being provided by CCT and HLF over this period highlights the vital importance of national charities in ensuring the long-term sustainability of complex, community-led management of heritage."

In a statement, the CCT said that all charities are under increased pressure to secure and retain funding, but that the 'risks are more acute for a smaller, local charity'.

The CCT says the decision for it to resume governance of All Souls 'seeks to secure the medium and long-term future' of the building, and has promised a 'smooth transition' to the new leadership.

Two key figures — director Andrew Suter and trust chairman Inayat Omarji — left their posts at All Souls last year.

Work is already under way to set up a local advisory group to help develop new partnerships and opportunities in the area.

Mark Head, chairman of All Souls Bolton, added: "All Souls has always been a unique enterprise, founded upon philanthropic and egalitarian principles. It stands as a beacon of challenge to ‘all souls’ to engage again in unity, heritage, well-being and understanding: Truly, All Souls for all souls."

In 2015, the community led a campaign against plans for All Souls to secure a liquor licence so that alcohol could be served at functions at the centre.

However, the CCT says that alcohol will not be served at the premises under its leadership.

All Souls, which was a redundant Victorian church building, re-opened in December 2014 and welcomes around 750 visitors each month.

On September 24, a free festival is planned at the centre to celebrate 10 years since the redevelopment plans were first announced.