Kentish Express Ashford & District
Joe Fagg Pop Inn centre could move back to town
Age UK sees drop in numbers after move from Vicarage Lane
A community service could move back to the town centre as bosses say footfall has fallen since moving to an out-of-town site.
The Age UK Joe Fagg Pop Inn centre moved from Vicarage Lane car park to Stanhope last year.
Previously, Age UK ran outreach services, clinics and groups from the car park site and the services were popular among independent elderly people.
But all of the services are now delivered from part of the Farrow Court assisted living building in Stanhope Road.
Chief officer Cleo Smith said: “The Pop Inn centre used to be right in the middle of the town and it was on the bus route, but we no longer have a presence in the town centre.
“We’ve seen a drop in approximately 30 to 40 people per week attending clubs like ‘knit and natter’, hearing aid clinics, exercise, transgender groups and computer classes.
“We are having to see people at home and this is increasing our expenditure as we have to cover the costs of fuel for our staff.
“The old Joe Fagg centre used to be a community hub and we want to recreate that but we are at capacity.
“We have looked for space in the town, but we haven’t been able to find anything.”
Age UK was given temporary planning permission for the building next to the Vicarage Lane Car Park in 1984, and it was renewed in 1989 with the condition that once the lease ran out the building would be demolished.
The charity surrendered its lease last year, handing control to Ashford Borough Council (ABC).
Preparation work to demolish the 35-year-old community centre is underway as ABC plans to replace it with nine extra parking spaces.
Cllr Dara Farrell (Lab) has previously accused ABC of abandoning community buildings so they could eventually be demolished.
The KCC councillor for the Ashford South Division said: “Over some time Age UK asked the council for assistance of the upkeep of the building but they refused to do this.
“I don’t believe they have re-provided what they have lost.
“A lot of elderly people rely on public transport, they have already lost footfall as it is not accessible as it once was.
“The irony is, it was called the Joe Fagg Pop Inn, but if you live in Willesborough, you’re not just ‘popping in’ to Stanhope.”
ABC confirmed it has been working with the charity to secure a new premises in the town centre.
A council spokesman said: “We assisted Age Concern to move to a new facility based at Farrow Court a few years ago.
“We understand it is looking for larger space in the town centre as part of its outreach work, and so we have looked at potential buildings for them but it appears none are suitable for their needs or budgets at present.”