The former Star Youth Centre, Ashton has been removed from auction after a campaign by the Friends of Tulketh Hall.

The former youth centre is on the site of what was once Tulketh Hall.

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A spokesperson from Lancashire County Council confirmed the removal from auction and said: “We have had quite a bit of commercial interest in this site, but we’ve also heard from local people who are keen to keep it as a community asset.

“We’ve taken it off the market so these options can be explored fully.”

The Friends group claims that the site is the most interesting historically in Preston and surrounding areas as it has been a royal castle; an ancestral hall for over 800 years; and possibly a Roman settlement.

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There were fears that if sold the site would be coverted into housing.

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A spokesperson for The Friends of Tulketh Hall campaign group told Blog Preston: “We are thrilled that the importance of the site has now been recognised by LCC and that we have the opportunity, along with our strategic partners for keeping this important community asset for the community.

“It is our aim for The Star to reopen, in a much improved form working as a meeting space for community groups, arts centre, teaching resource and general hub for the area . We intend that the grounds are fully explored for the site’s rich history, foundations of the ancient buildings exposed and a landscaped community garden created.

“Sometimes it’s important to see past the most obvious commercial usages for a site. Giving an area a focal point, a resource and something to be proud of promotes wellbeing.and such considerations are just as important as the financial. We would like to thank the team at LCC for allowing us this opportunity to develop this project.”

The Friends group is continuing to explore options for the Star Centre site and asks anyone interested in being involved to contact hello@tulkethhall.co.uk or join the Facebook group set up about the history of the hall.

Read more: A short history of Tulketh Hall – in search of Preston’s long-lost castle

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