UP to 200 Prestwich demonstrators fighting for the future of their popular civic hall have delivered a “Save Our Suite” ultimatum to council chiefs.

They symbolically linked hands around the under-threat Longfield Suite in a high-profile day of action.

Sunday’s event was organised by the Save Our Suite (SOS) campaign group, and received the firm backing of Bury South MP Ivan Lewis.

He said: “The people of Prestwich once again made it clear they will not tolerate the closure of the Longfield Suite or any changes which undermine its function as a premier dance and performing arts location.”

In October, the Guide revealed that the Longfield Suite was under threat of closure as part of a major review of civic venues across the borough. The hall, which forms part of the Longfield Centre, apparently lost £138,000 last year.

A confidential report stated that current plans for the redevelopment of the Longfield Centre site presented Bury Council with an opportunity to consider a range of alternative community uses as part of the overall redevelopment.

Now, a local authority “task and finish” group is investigating the financial aspects of the Longfield Suite as well as Radcliffe Civic Suite, Ramsbottom Civic Hall and Bury’s Elizabethan Suite. The council says the venues will be “reconfigured” if they cannot be made profitable.

But St Mary’s councillor Donal O’Hanlon, chairman of the SOS group, said the number of around 200 demonstrators showed the strength of feeling.

He said. “We were very pleased with the turnout, given that the event was organised with relatively short notice.

“We had a good mix of people, members of the public and people who use the building. Unlike other areas of the borough, we don’t have any major sporting facilities or offices here and the Longfield Suite is at the hub of the community.”

He added: “Everyone involved in the consultation process for the regeneration of Prestwich was of the understanding that when reviewing the centre of the town, the Longfield was central to the community.

“We understood that not only would it be retained, but improved and upgraded. My worst fear is that it could be knocked down and either not replaced or replaced, but on a much smaller scale.”

Cllr O’Hanlon said the action group had planned further events in their campaign to save the Longfield Suite.

Mr Lewis added: “Bury Council would do well to listen to the voice of people power. I urge the leader of Bury Council to give local people an early Christmas present.

“Cllr Bob Bibby should announce that all plans to close or downgrade the Longfield Suite and Radcliffe Civic Hall have been abandoned. If he fails to do so, the Prestwich and Radcliffe campaigners will go on until he and his colleagues see sense.”