AO's chief executive has explained his company and charity's role at an Edgworth community hub after concerns about transparency and communication problems were raised at a community meeting.
John Roberts, CEO of Bolton-based tech and white goods company AO, gifted large donations of money to The Barlow Institute and Cricket Club through his own registered charity, which he says is not connected to AO.
The Barlow is a community hub which has a cafe, a venue hiring space, is home to the cricket and bowling club and has been part of the community for decades.
Residents seemed to get the company confused with John Roberts' charitable contributions to the hub in Edgworth, provided through The Jolly Foundation, because the club displays AO signage and sponsorship.
A passionate meeting at the institute's AGM on Wednesday (July 15) laid bare divisions over the future of The Barlow, as trustees defended major decisions after concerns over development plans and transparency.
Alyson Whitlock, resident, said: "We're not against the cricket club, but we don't want it to be taken over by AO because that is what is happening.
"But now, the facilities are overused; we're not big enough. So it creates endless parking, unless they put a multi-storey car park up."
This led Ms Whitlock to her claims that The Barlow would get rid of "the last little bit of green space" on the property to make way for more parking spaces.
She added: "There is no transparency or consultation; the residents own the charity and were not consulted about the Cricket Club expansion or using the last green space for a car park.
"We're about to lose the last little bit of green space."
Responding afterwards, now chairman Steve Ellis said no decision had yet been made on the proposed parking scheme.
It has been discussed before with previous chair John Marriott.
Mr Ellis said: "At the pre-planning stage, there has been no decision by Blackburn with Darwen Council as to what the surface has to be.
"We are awaiting their response."
Addressing concerns over the loss of green space, trustee Lauren Brady added: "To say that it's the last bit of green space gone is quite insane.
"Just behind where the proposed parking is, is a beautiful woodland.
"I don't know how anyone can say that they were getting rid of the last bit of green in The Barlow."
The meeting also heard discussion over a new 50-year lease with Edgworth Cricket and Recreation Club, proposed parking changes, governance, and the charity's long-term future.
Trustees also announced plans to improve communication through quarterly resident meetings, greater transparency, website updates, and stronger governance procedures.
Steve Ellis, now chairman, said: "ECRC [Edgworth Cricket and Recreation Club] have signed a 50-year lease for the upkeep, maintenance, repair, and any structural replacement of the MUGA [Multi Use Games Arena], the clubhouse, new endorsement facilities, school board equipment store viewing platform, and the upkeep and maintenance of the recreation ground as a recreation and cricket facility for the residents of North Turton.
"A yearly rental has been agreed at £15,000 per year plus a yearly percentage profit share of any profit made by ECRC for the term of the lease."
Several points made in negativity sparked some storming out of the hall, and other points made by residents about the charitable efforts were applauded.
When the chair revealed how much the lease will be a year, there was a number of gasps from the right side of the room.
Trustees also reported the charity's total funds had increased by the end of 2025, helped by investment towards redevelopment projects and improvements across the estate.
In official documents from The Barlow, it said: "At the end of the financial year, the Charity's total funds had increased from £647,036 to £1,151,605, reflecting significant capital investment received during the year.
"A substantial proportion of this increase relates to restricted funds that have been donated specifically for major capital projects and therefore cannot be used for day-to-day operating costs."
Speaking to The Bolton News after the meeting, AO chief executive Mr Roberts has addressed confusion about the role his charity and the business play at The Barlow.
He said: "AO sponsor the cricket club and the cricket teams, and they pay for that as a commercial sponsorship.
"The Jolly Foundation, which is the foundation of me and Sally (Mr Roberts' wife), is how we distribute our funds charitably. It has donated all the money to The Barlow and the cricket club as a gift.
"So the committee members of the Barlow will decide where it goes. It has nothing to do with us."
Mr Roberts added: "When we got involved, the Barlow Institute was basically bankrupt, and they were thinking of handing the keys back to Blackburn and Darwen Council.
"And now it's flourishing and thriving and has had all its repairs and renewals and the building fixed, and it's on a firm financial footing now for generations to come.
"I struggle to understand which bit we've not communicated."
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