A GROUP in Stretford will hold its collective breath on Friday about its plan to take over a public building for community.

The Friends of Stretford Public Hall is expected to discover if council officials will back it audacious bid to take over the Victorian building which is it hoped will help regenerate life in the centre of Stretford.

If the group gains control it plans a cafe, a restaurant, offer a hall where local markets can run from, and also offer space for a start-up hub where entrepreneurs can hot desk from and network with like minded individuals. Annoushka Deighton, one of the driving forces behind the takeover of the council owned building, which could be used as both a commercial and community resource, said over the next few days members of the group would be hoping for the backing of Trafford Council officers.

She said: "We are holding our breath ahead of Friday's decision, and to be honest it's a horrible feeling, because we have proceeded as if we already had the building.

"If we don't get it we would try to get that decision changed and look at other things such as moving a project, which could include a Manchester Music Museum in the building. However, we are hopeful it wont come to that."

The group which was awarded a grant of £70,000 to put forward a business plan for the building also recently won the backing of the Federation of Small Business for its takeover plan.

"There is a strong community spirit here but nowhere where people can gather, and the centre Stretford of an evening is dead of a night."

"However, if the decision is that we win the backing of the local authority, it will give Stretford a chance to tremendous opportunity to regenerate its heart and provide so much for the community as well as change the perception in how people outside view Stretford, which would be brilliant."