Community centre to close after 54 years
The late Rev David Paterson led its foundation
LOUGHBOROUGH’S Rosebery Community Centre in Storer Road is to close.
The centre’s trustees say the decision was forced on them “when it became clear that, with no income from centre users due to coronavirus, fixed costs would exceed funds and staff redundancy payments may not be met if immediate action was not taken.”
Trustee Bill Brookman said: “The centre has struggled for some years as local families gave way to student accommodation in the ward.
“We have struggled with meeting the terms of a new lease for several years, and coronavirus was the nail in the coffin,”
Another trustee, Chris Riddles, said: “This will be a major blow to our many user-groups for which we can offer no solution.”
“It will hurt so many groups,” added long-term trustee Patsy Gibbs, “I am deeply saddened for the martial arts Tetsudo Association, which has used Rosebery Community Centre extensively over the past 20 years, both as HQ for its many clubs and the courses it has run there”
John Burnard, chair of the trustees said: “In spite of tremendous support over the years from Charnwood Borough Council funding centre refurbishments, equipment, project staff salaries and community activities we have still seen year-on-year funding from the council steadily decline. So, for many reasons, we have to accept the writing on the wall.”
Julie Booker, a facilitator for some of the groups at the centre said: “Many of you have joined the popular kurling groups, Arty Crafty Club, Sewing Group and Art for Beginners over the last years and we thank you for the support.
“We will be back as soon as possible as we aim to find a new venue for all the activities.”
The building is owned by the Church of England parish and Loughborough parish priest, Rev Wendy Dalrymple of All Saints with Holy Trinity Church, said: “It is sad to see the centre close, but we do understand the financial struggle the trustees have been battling for some time.
“Whilst we had been able to waive the rent since lockdown, we are aware that the centre’s challenges are bigger than just the few months and amount to more than the church, as a charity itself, is able to subsidise in the long term.
“We will take steps to ensure that the buildings are made secure and then we will work on what the possible options might be once lockdown is fully lifted and it is clearer what the future might hold.
“We understand the community will want to know what is decided, but given the uncertainties created by the pandemic, it may be a little while before we can decide what the next chapter will be.”
Rosebery Community Centre, formerly St Peter’s Community Centre, was founded in 1966 by a group of community enthusiasts led by Rev David Paterson, vicar of St. Peter’s Church. It took over the Victorian church hall which was originally built as a Sunday school.