CHRISTMAS has been cancelled for a charitable organisation as it faces a first winter without Radcliffe Civic Suite.

The Rotary Club of Radcliffe has had to call off its annual Christmas lunch for over-70s, claiming the centre in Thomas Street was the only venue big enough with adequate access for the disabled in Radcliffe.

But Bury Council stood by its decision to close the civic suite to build new houses, pointing out that there are other council-run and private venues in the Bury borough which could be used.

Gillian Stainthorpe, immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Radcliffe, said: “It is with great regret that this year we have had to cancel this wonderful event simply because the civic suite has closed.”

She said no other suite in Bury enjoys the same ease of parking nor ability to get there without substantial travel.

Ms Stainthorpe said the cancellation of the event – which usually sees 250 residents along with civic leaders sitting down to a hot Christmas lunch and entertainment – was an example of the real cost to the community of the closure of the civic suite, and that other entertainment events have had to be called off.

Demolition work on Radcliffe Civic Suite took place this year and contractors are currently building 40 new houses on the site.

Bury Council have promised that a state-of-the-art replacement leisure and entertainment venue will be built on the site of the old swimming baths in Green Street by the end of 2018.

A spokesman for Bury Council said: “We were sorry to hear that the Rotary Club of Radcliffe cancelled their annual charity Christmas lunch, which they used to hold at the former Radcliffe Civic Suite, apparently in the belief that there is nowhere else in the borough which can accommodate them.

“We can assure them that both the Elizabethan Suite in Bury and the Longfield Suite in Prestwich have disabled access facilities.”

“Given the numbers who usually attend such functions, between 250 and 300, the Longfield Suite would be best.”

Instead of the lunch the Rotary Club of Radcliffe is hosting a variety show for over 70s on Thursday January 26 at Dobbie’s Sports and Social Club, Bradley Fold, Radcliffe.

Anyone over the age of 70 living in Radcliffe can apply for tickets.

Application is by post only and applicants must give details including their name, address, postcode, and date of birth.

They must also supply a contact telephone number and include a self-addressed and stamped envelope to receive the tickets for the show.

The closing date for applications is November 25, 2016.

All applications should be made out to President Richard Dandy, Richard Dandy Jewellers, 13 Deansgate, Radcliffe M26 2SH.

Applications for tickets will be dealt with by a random draw on the morning of November 25.