Council faces legal action over potential closure of alcohol treatment unit

An application has been made to the High Court for permission to bring judicial review proceedings against a city council over the closure of a unit that offers treatment for people with alcohol and mental health problems.

The Brian Hore Unit, which is based in West Didsbury, is expected to close on 31 March. The proposed closure follows the award of a contract for a new combined drug and alcohol service in Manchester to Crime Reduction Initiatives (CRI). 

According to law firm Irwin Mitchell, which has been instructed by an individual who is treated at the unit, “concerns have been raised that the organisation does not intend to continue services at the Brian Hore Unit, or provide the services at an alternative location”.

Irwin Mitchell Associate Mathieu Culverhouse said: “We believe the consultation process undertaken by the local council focused on redesigning drug and alcohol services in Manchester and did not indicate changes would result in the closure of the Brian Hore Unit. The users of services at the unit were not consulted at all about the possible closure of the unit. 

“We wrote to Manchester City Council in February to outline our concerns with the way the decision to close the unit was taken, as well as outlining our plans to take steps to issue judicial review proceedings to challenge the decision.

“The council replied to our letter, denying that it had acted unlawfully. We have now formally applied to the High Court for that review, citing the council’s failure to consult with service users or provide them with any opportunity to make representations about the closure of the BHU.”

Manchester City Council has been approached for comment.