Bury FC’s Gigg Lane put up for sale by administrators
The 12,500 capacity venue - which is one of the oldest professional football stadiums in the world - has been put on the market six months after the club entered administration.
Bury FC’s 136-year-old stadium Gigg Lane is officially up for sale.
The 12,500 capacity venue – which is one of the oldest professional football stadiums in the world – has been put on the market six months after the club entered administration.
No competitive Bury FC fixtures have been played at the ground for two years – with the club being expelled from the football league in 2019 after falling into financial ruin.
Owner Steve Dale remained in possession of the club and Gigg Lane itself following the club’s ejection from the pyramid, whilst a group of supporters splintered off to form a new side: Bury AFC.
Pressure is now being placed on Bury Council to purchase the stadium for themselves.
ADVERTISEMENT
Not surprised the Administrator has put Gigg Lane up for sale. Council can have a big part to play now either in buying it themselves or making it as difficult as possible for anyone else to do something other than football with it.
Administrator Steven Wiseglass, of Inquesta Corporate Recovery and Insolvency, has appointed agent Fleurets to make the sale.
The 6.4 acre site includes the stadium itself along with the ticket office and club shop.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr Wiseglass said: “As part of the administration process, I have been liaising with the secured charge-holder over the stadium and have now appointed Fleurets to actively market the stadium for sale.
“My role is to secure the best possible outcome for all stakeholders of The Bury Football Club Company Ltd.
“Bury FC is a club with a rich history and a loyal and enthusiastic fan base, and I do hope that a suitable buyer will be forthcoming to secure the future of football at Gigg Lane.
ADVERTISEMENT
“All expressions of interest should be submitted directly to Fleurets.”
Graeme Bunn, managing director of Fleurets, said: ““Fleurets is delighted to have been appointed by Inquesta to bring to the market the stadium at Gigg Lane.
“This is a unique opportunity to purchase a freehold stadium, with an all-seating capacity of over 12,000.
“The marketing of the stadium presents a variety of buyers and occupiers with the prospect of securing the landmark property.
“Offers will be invited on an unconditional basis. We encourage all interested parties to contact Fleurets as soon as possible, as we anticipate significant local and national interest.”
Bury
Urgent search for missing 80-year-old ‘keen walker’ from Bury
Daisy Jackson
A keen walker and birdwatcher from Bury has gone missing while out walking in a local beauty spot, with an urgent search now taking place.
Brian Fletcher, 80, travelled from his home to the Tockholes area of Lancashire on Saturday afternoon.
Brian regularly walks in the area, police have said, including the Higher Roddlesworth and Lower Roddlesworth Reservoirs.
He hasn’t been seen since the weekend and officers are now urgently appealing for anyone who was in the area to come forward with dashcam footage.
If you were on the A675 Belmont Road – from Abbey Village to Tockholes – between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Saturday, and have footage or information, you should contact the police immediately.
Brian was driving a grey Citroen C4 Cactus car, registration WP64HSC, which was found parked in a layby on the A675, near to Tockholes Road.
He’s described as 5ft 8, slim, with grey hair and a small scar on his face from a recent procedure.
When Brian was last seen he was wearing a dark blue jumper, blue cargo trousers, a tan baseball cap and walking boots.
Bolton Mountain Rescue confirmed that search helicopters and dogs are being used in the search.
Lancashire Police said: “We are concerned for Brian’s welfare and if you think you have seen him over the weekend in the Tockholes and surrounding areas, please get in touch.
“Any sightings, please call 999 immediately. If you have dashcam footage of his car or any information which could assist us in finding Brian, contact 101 – quoting log 1544 of 22nd March 2025.
“Our officers are being assisted by Mountain Rescue teams in the search.”
Man arrested after ‘letting gas off’ on Metrolink trams in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Police have arrested a man following reports of a person ‘letting gas off’ on Metrolink trams.
Passengers had reported a man ‘wearing a gas mask’ boarding services between Bury and Victoria, who was releasing gas.
Several witnesses reported ‘feeling discomfort or dizziness’ following the ‘concerning incidents’, but thankfully no serious injuries have been reported.
A man in his 30s has now been arrested on suspicion of possessing a noxious substance with intent to injure, and remains in police custody.
There’s not believed to be any wider threat to the public.
Trams on the Bury line were also suspended this morning due to a ‘police incident’ at Crumpsall.
Anyone who believes they may have witnessed something suspicious is urged to get in touch with police as this work continues.
Trams were halted due to a police incident at Crumpsall this morning – a man has now been arrested for releasing gas. Credit: Geograph, David Dixon
Detective Chief Inspector Paddy Connell, from GMP’s City of Manchester Division, said: “We fully appreciate that incidents of this nature can cause concern in our communities, but I want to reassure the public that we do not believe there is any wider threat present.
“We have now secured the arrest of a man and are working hard to establish the full circumstances of the events that have been reported over recent days.
“As officers continue to work their way through all the evidence available, we are asking anyone who has any information to please come forward. This includes anyone who believes they have witnessed something suspicious, or similar to the incidents that we are dealing with.
“Our transport hubs are operating as usual, and I would encourage anyone with any concerns to speak to a police officer, who will be more than happy to discuss any queries you may have.”
You can contact police via 101 or the Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
The Manc -
11th May 2021 
