Latest news with #Hyndburn
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Accrington academy loss difficult but vital
Accrington Stanley chief executive Warren Eastham says the decision to close their academy was "heartbreaking" but essential for the club's immediate League Two club said this week they were shutting down the academy despite the offer of a £140,000 grant from Hyndburn Council to help keep it going."From a personal standpoint, it is very difficult," Eastham told BBC Radio Lancashire."We're human beings and what we're talking about are kids and parents who believe this is an opportunity for them in the future."And given the way it had to be done so immediately, it's been a very difficult process. We're talking about people who have performed well."When you look at situations like this in business, usually it's through a lack of performance, but this is an extreme circumstance where departments of the club carry costs for their excellence but the club itself is losing money through its lack of revenue generation."The day we spoke to the parents and kids was heartbreaking. It's been a very, very difficult situation." Eastham said the club's main investor Andy Holt, who has stood down as chairman but will continue to fund the club up to £250,000 a year, had "sleepless nights" over the Eastham said senior figures at Accrington had to "put emotions aside" to ensure the financial stability of the club following a 21st-place finish this season, just eight points above the drop zone."We can only apologise for the circumstance that's arisen but given the financial challenges we have, we have to realign all costs towards the first team because relegation would be an absolute disaster," Eastham said."As much as it's been a really, really difficult time for everyone involved and we're sad for all those that have had to leave us during this process, we have to make sure that the future of Accrington Stanley is a positive one."Eastham was keen to reassure fans that while Accrington are reducing their costs, the club is "absolutely not in question"."The football club is safe as far as the playing squad and everything around it," he said."However, until we get the right decisions to support the club from the council and we get the right opportunity to generate revenue, then obviously we have to cut our cloth accordingly."He also said Accrington's ambition is to "push forward and go up the football league", as well as "resolve issues" with the council over the use of club facilities for non-matchday events after its entertainment licence was revoked following noise complaints."'Don't worry' is the message - we're going in the right direction even though there have been some difficult decisions," Eastham added.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
3,000 turn out to support charity named in memory of 11-year-old
Thousands turned out to support a charity named in memory of an 11-year-old who died of cancer. The community day at the Great Harwood Showground aimed to raise funds for Milly's Smiles. Lorraine Hargreaves founded Milly's Smiles after her daughter tragically passed away from leukaemia in 2015 at just 11 years old, only 10 months after being diagnosed. The event was opened by town crier, Rawden Kerr and the new Mayor of Hyndburn, Cllr Josh Blayne Allen and included a special show from the Lancashire Dog Company. Other performances included shows by Halcyon Creative Kids, Jess B Dance Fitness, Mai Tai Gym, the Imperial Alliance Stormtroopers, and a set of ukulele players International music event production company, iMEP, provided the main marquee, stage and sound equipment, plus technical support free of charge. Lorraine Wilson and her daughter Milly Walmsley (Image: Supplied) Lorraine from Milly's Smiles said: "This is the first time we have had a professional sound and stage set up, and we can't thank Eddy and his team enough for their support." Chief executive of iMEP, Eddy O'Brien said: "We were absolutely blown away by the turnout and the support on the day. 'To see so many people coming together, smiling, enjoying themselves, and supporting one another, was truly heartwarming. 'It is fantastic to be able to help everyone's day by providing equipment and support, and I hope it raised lots of money for such a brilliant cause. "The assets we can utilise on the day are ideally suited to small events such as this through to international pop stars and musicals - we take the headache away on sound and stage production!" Earlier this year, Hyndburn MP Sarah Smith joined Ms Hargreaves in Westminster to highlight the need for better diagnosis and support for families. It follows the Labour backbencher speaking about Milly's Smiles in a debate about rare cancers in the House of Commons. One of the biggest concerns Ms Hargreaves raised in the meeting was how difficult it is for parents to get a diagnosis for their child.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Accrington to close academy despite council offer
Accrington Stanley have confirmed they will close their academy despite the offer of a grant by Hyndburn League Two club previously announced it would be forced to close the academy as a cost-cutting came amid a row with the council over the loss of revenue from the use of club facilities for non-matchday events after the council revoked its entertainment licence following noise complaints from council had offered to put forward the £140,000 which it said in a statement would "be the figure required to keep the academy operational for the next 12 months" but the club has now turned down that offer."While we genuinely appreciate their offer, a detailed review of the club's financial situation and immediate challenges has made it clear that this support would not address the wider issues we are facing," a club statement said."During these discussions, the club outlined its ambitions and financial responsibilities, particularly as we look ahead to the 2025-26 season."After careful consideration, the board has concluded that continuing to operate the academy at this time is not a viable option, even with the council's proposed financial assistance." Accrington finished the 2024-25 League Two season in 21st place and eight points off the relegation finish came as a row with the local council continued late into the campaign, with owner Andy Holt eventually saying he would step down from his position as eventually agreed to continue funding the club by up to £250,000 per season."The enforced closure of our function rooms, rising costs - such as National Insurance and minimum wage increases - combined with no forthcoming resolution to the club's planning issues have placed an ever-growing financial burden on our club and subsequently on our owner who is now in his 11th year of financially supporting Accrington Stanley FC," the statement added."This situation has compelled the club to reassess its strategy for the upcoming season and beyond."Despite Andrew Holt's continued generosity, the lack of significant revenue streams to offset these escalating expenses has left us with no option but to implement difficult yet necessary cuts."
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Views sought on future of Accrington Victoria Hospital site
People across Accrington are being encouraged to have their say on the future of a community hospital that closed in Victoria Community Hospital on Haywood Road closed after East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust deemed the building to be beyond parts of the hospital, built in 1894, had issues with ceilings collapsing, asbestos and broken trust's chief executive, Martin Hodgson, said he would work with the community and council to find a new use for the site and an online survey had been created to gauge initial views and ideas. 'Loved by many' He said he knew "local people felt upset" when the trust moved out of the building."But I am pleased that we have been able to deliver on those promises we made at the time to keep services in Accrington, protect the buildings history and ensure that the community was able to get involved about what happened to the site next."The next phase is to work with key people and communities in the area to decide what happens next to this beloved site."Hyndburn and Haslingden Labour MP, Sarah Smith, will be working alongside Hyndburn Borough Councillor Melissa Fisher, on the Smith said: "Accy Vic is loved by so many people because of its history. "The trust is clear it will work with the community to preserve this heritage and that includes the original facades of the building and the character of Accy Vic where possible."Fisher said the council will also be holding events for people to have their say, including a workshop led by the MP's office and a market stall style drop-in in Accrington Town future of Accrington Victoria survey can be found here. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Council offers Accrington academy lifeline
Accrington Stanley's academy could be saved from closure by a grant from Hyndburn League Two club announced last week that it would be forced to close the academy as a cost-cutting came amid a row with the council over the loss of revenue from use of club facilities for non-matchday events, after the council revoked its entertainment licence following noise complaints from council said on Tuesday it would stump up the £140,000 which it said in a statement would "be the figure required to keep the Academy operational for the next 12 months."The council statement, external also said: "Like many, we are deeply concerned about the impact this decision will have on young people and families from Hyndburn. "As mentioned in our previous statement, upon hearing this news we immediately contacted Accrington Stanley FC to ascertain more information on the reasoning behind the decision and to offer the council's support to save the academy from closure."We have therefore asked that Accrington Stanley FC gives urgent consideration to this offer and respond as soon as possible so that we can work together to avoid irreversible consequences."We have also contacted the EFL to express our commitment to the Academy and the club, and to request their support in helping safeguard both."Accrington Stanley have been contacted by the BBC for comment.
