Legion confirms sell-off plans for veterans centre
THE Royal British Legion has confirmed that Southport’s Byng House is up for sale.
Many called for the break centre for veterans to be saved from closure, including Sefton Council’s Armed Forces champion Cllr Robert Brennan.
But the charity has now confirmed that the building is to be sold, meaning any hope of saving the centre will be lost.
The site on the promenade, opened a decade ago by Prince Andrew, will close along with three other seaside respite centres in Bridlington, East Yorkshire; Weston-super-Mare, Somerset; and Portrush in Northern Ireland.
A spokesperson for the Royal British Legion said: “The sale of buildings and assets will be handled in a sensitive and considered manner.
“As the legion owns the freehold for the break centres, we will determine the best option for the buildings to ensure that the trustees of the charity receive the best value in accordance with their Charities Act obligations.”
Veteran services such as its Handy Van service, which provides small home repairs and maintenance, will be lost.
Facilities at the centre included a cinema, library, games room, hair salon and a licensed bar and guests were treated to coach trips to Liverpool and Chester, among other destinations.
Many are still responding to the closure announcement on Facebook with anger – with some threatening to cancel their RBL memberships.
Noreen Dillon wrote: “Absolutely devastated. Our membership will be cancelled! The amount used to run these centres is a drop in the ocean compared to how much is sat in the bank reserves.
“Many veterans I know are doing the same. The RBL are going to take a massive loss on this.”
Jason Henderson posted: “This is an awful choice by the RBL. I along with many others had a chance of a holiday and for me it helped speed up my recovery after a major operation.
“When there I met and got chatting to a lot of veterans who Byng House was their only opportunity to get out of their own house and be around people that understood them and could help.”
James O’Carroll added: “A PR disaster for the RBL, and once again new veterans have lost yet another facility that was enjoyed by many generations before them! I won’t be selling poppies for them again & I certainly won’t be renewing my membership. A very sad day indeed!”
Ian Francis added: “Lost mine and loads of us veterans’ support. Disgusting.”
In RBL’s strategic review the new direction is to address the changes in the Armed Forces community, as the type of support needed is growing increasingly complex, with requiring help with issues.
The charity has recorded a 20% increase in people needing basic support with housing, financial issues, mental health and wellbeing and mobility since 2016.
Staff at Byng House were told of its planned closure a week after Remembrance Day. Many people also took to the Facebook post to thank them for their hard work over the years.
Chris Beyga said: “A massive thanks for caring for my mum and dad over the years at Byng, the staff are amazing and I hope they move on with a positive outcome. This is so sad to see.”
Linda O’connor added: “Thank you so much for looking after my dad Harry just before Xmas. He was almost at the end of his poppy break when he took poorly.
“He’s fully recovered now and was home with me on xmas eve. He had a lovely time at Byng house, such amazing staff, so sorry they are closing Byng House.”
The RBL said that new priorities for funding will provide increased resource for casework and providing support that fits individual need, immediate needs funding including crisis grants, investment in care homes, services for older members of the Armed Forces community, and funding external grants to organisations providing specialist support.
Cllr Brennan said: “Notwithstanding proceeds of the sale, I would hope that any donations to Byng house will be ploughed back into local services.”
people multiple