Anger as plans are laid to close Bedlington Community Centre
Fears are growing that a town which lacks indoor leisure and sports facilities could lose its main community centre to council cost-cutting plans.
People in Bedlington have complained for years that they don't have a dedicated leisure centre or swimming pool, unlike their neighbours in Morpeth, Blyth, Ashington and Cramlington.
Bedlington resident Dave Armstrong outside Bedlington Community Centre
Now anger has erupted after Northumberland County Council informed staff at Bedlington Community Centre that it will close on July 1, and they will be made redundant.
Around 10 employees are believed to be affected by the plans.
A campaign is being launched in a bid to keep the Front Street facility open for at least another year, to allow time for a community trust to take it over. The centre is used by local youth, church and other groups, and is the venue for a successful country and western club which has raised thousands for charity over the last 17 years.
Allan Douglas, chairman of the Unite union branch at the county council and an East Bedlington parish councillor, said: "I was told on March 19 that closure or mothballing of the community centre was not on the table, and would only be considered as a last resort.
"Five days later staff were told the decision had been taken to close it from July 1, and they will be made redundant unless alternative employment becomes available.
"There is uproar in the community and I think this is a slap in the face for the people of Bedlington.
"What we are asking is that the centre should be kept open for one more year at the very least, because I know there are people in the community who want to get consultants in and try to turn it into a community trust to save it."
Bedlington resident Dave Armstrong, pictured, 70, runs the monthly Wansbeck Country Club, which has attracted bands from all over the UK to the community centre and raised ã50,000 for good causes.
He said: "I think the situation is disgraceful and I'm disgusted. We have artists booked until September and we don't know what will happen if the centre closes."
Last night Lynn Turner, head of culture, leisure and tourism, said the county council didn't want to see the centre to close, but had decided to reduce the funding it receives by 75% this year.
"We are, therefore, actively in discussion with the town council and other organisations who have expressed an interest in taking over the running of the building, and we hope that there will be a positive outcome."
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Bedlington community centre serves not just the residents within Bedlington town centre so please can there be some dialogue with the others within the catchment area. Let us start the dialogue looking for the funding to keep the centre open and may i suggest the starting point be; use some of the ã500,000 county hold from the sale of Bedlington Golf Club. Thids is absolutley shocking and the sound of support from county councillors representing that area is deafening.