WITH a history stretching back more than 150 years, Mansion House, located within the now beautifully-restored Victoria Park, has long been a central part of the community.

However, since the park’s renovation the Star understands there have been various complaints over the building’s opening hours making it less available to park users.

The house has had various guises including as a private residence and a museum.

Currently the venue is owned by Age UK Mid Mersey and includes the new lottery-funded Orangery which formed part of the multi-million pound restoration of Victoria Park. Teresa Bowen-Brown, director of corporate fundraising at Age UK Mid Mersey, has defended the venue’s opening hours.

“I think we cover for the public as much as we physically can do,” she told the Star.

“We are open to the public and our trading hours are nine to five. People can eat and drink there and can arrange a tour of the mansion house.

“We also provide all of our services for the elderly community such as craft classes and we have wedding events.

“Also we work in conjunction with the Friends of Victoria Park when they want us to.

“I think we cover a lot of things and we don’t close the doors to anyone, and any requests, we do what we can manage.”