THE owner of one of the borough's most historic chapels has found a buyer and the sale may be completed by the end of March.

Tyldesley Top Chapel was built on Astley Street in 1789 and was bought by Cadence Cafe CIC for £50,000 in September 2015 after the firm was awarded £188,200 by Wigan Council’s Deal for Communities Investment Fund to enable it to be used as a multi-purpose community hub.

The grade II listed building was controversially put up for auction as a commercial property with a £150,000 price tag just eight months later after its ownership had been transfered to Cadence Festivals Limited, and it has since been marketed by Monton-based Barlow White estate agency, looking for offers in excess of £210,000.

Cadence Festivals Limited has informed Wigan Council that it has accepted a bid for the chapel.

It has not revealed the bidder's identity.

Despite the building being listed as an asset of community value, the council says the owner is not restricted in terms of who it can sell the chapel to.

Community groups have a right to express an interest in purchasing the building but they must make a bid before an interim moratorium for the proposed sale ends on March 26.

Alison McKenzie-Folan, the council's deputy chief executive, said: “The owner of the chapel has notified us of their intention to sell the building as part of the asset of community value process.

“While the asset of community value process does not require the owner to sell to a community group we would hope the community does come together to explore whether any viable bid can be made.

“In any event we hope that any new owner will be able to utilise the building in the best interests of Tyldesley town centre and the wider community.”

Law lecturer Peter Tyldesley, who has family ties to the town, has raised concerns about where historical artefacts at the chapel will end up and claimed that research he has done 'suggests that more than 1,700 people are still buried at Tyldesley Top Chapel'.

He said: “I hope Historic England will move rapidly to protect some of the internal features."

Mr Tyldesley is particularly concerned about what will happen to an historic organ in the chapel once the building is sold.

Organ expert Dr James Berrow said: “The early John Nicholson organ, installed in 1859, is an exciting and important find which has not previously been documented.

“It will certainly be added to the National Pipe Organ Register and would qualify for recognition under the Historic Organ Listing Scheme."

The council claims it will be paid back 'just over £71,000' of the £188,200 it gave to Cadence Festivals Limited through a 'legal charge' once the building has been sold.

The Journal has been unable to contact representatives from Cadence Festivals Limited.