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Back to business at old courtroom

Emma Ferguson
24/ 7/2008

SIXTEEN years since it closed its door for the last time in 1992, the courtroom at The Old Police Station (TOPS) Business Centre has been back in use for its original purpose.

Simon Nelson, Greater Manchester North District Coroner, found he had nowhere to continue an on-going inquest and, because it was an unusually large one, he had to find somewhere that could accommodate everyone needed for two separate periods of a week.

He had previously visited The Old Police Station, on Hind Hill Street, and acknowledged how well it had been refurbished and that it had the space he needed.

Contact was made with the centre administrator, Richard Skidmore, who undertook the daunting task of changing bookings, hiring extra furniture and making sure four offices were kept free for the duration of the inquest.

Mr Skidmore said: "It was a difficult exercise in logistics but I am pleased to say that we managed it.

"All the staff worked really hard to make sure everything went well and I was very proud of their efforts."

The coroner’s senior assistant, Gill Williamson, was very impressed with both the standard of accommodation and the efforts of the staff.

She said: "The building has been refurbished beautifully.

"The way that several of the original features have been retained and the standard of workmanship were all most impressive.

"We cannot thank the staff enough for their efforts, nothing was too much trouble for them. We have every intention of using TOPS in the future."

Susan Coates, chairman of the New Deal for Communities Partnership, added: "This is exactly what we wanted to hear about the managed workspace.

"It is our intention to attract more new initiatives to the town and the fact that the district coroner has now used TOPS twice proves we are on the right track."