Community centre could shut forever

The Joe Fagg pop-in community centre, in Ashford, could close permanently.

Trustees of the St John’s Lane centre have sent a letter to the elderly people who use it warning it could be permanently closed because of extensive damage.

The building – operated by Age UK – is more than 50 years old and has been closed since last month’s heavy thunderstorms caused extensive structural damage.

Mike Foister, a Joe Fagg driver who regularly uses the centre, said it would be a great shame to lose such a valuable asset.

He said: “It is in need of some repair but its insurers have agreed to cover that cost.

“It is a valuable asset for the town and lots of people use it.

“Joe Fagg was an important part of Ashford’s history and it would be sad to see that go from the town.”

A spokesman for Age UK said: “We are still waiting for the insurance company to come back to us about the best way forward, we’ve got a structural engineer coming to see it next week.

“The ceiling is falling down and letting in copious amounts of water so it is still closed to the public because we just can’t take that risk.”

Full story and pictures in next week’s Kentish Express.

Joe Fagg pop-in centre has closed after the building was battered by thunderstorms and suffered structural damage