A CYCLE shop owner has wheeled out a Facebook campaign to give the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre a new lease of life.

Arek Bartniczak, who runs The Bike Barn hire and repair service on Rifle Road, said the facility in Sale Water Park has been open for just one day a week for the past two years.

Arek, who is originally from Poland said: “My proposition is to change it into a multi-purpose community centre, connected with a normal and electric bike hire and be part of a basic outdoor shop that would offer basic equipment for every activity and it would be used by the community.”

Arek would like the shop to offer equipment for activities ranging from walking to horse riding.

He would also like the new centre to offer information on the attractions the area has to offer and he believes this would help to boost visitor numbers.

Arek said since the opening hours have been cut his business has taken over the role once carried out by the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre and added that the facility now boasts one member of staff.

Executive Councillor Alan Mitchell, said: "The Mersey Valley Visitor Centre has been operating reduced opening hours since May last year. Toilet facilities and the café are unaffected and continue to remain open as usual. We want to see this facility thrive again, and will be working closely with partner organisations and other interested parties to find the best way of moving forward to achieve this. In the meantime, we are continuing to maintain the centre, including the recent replacement of the building's roof, to ensure that it can continue to operate for the benefit of visitors now and in the future."

* Anyone interested in supporting Arek’s campaign should visit www.facebook.com/ToSaveSaleWaterParkVisitorCentre