A Nottingham community centre has been closed after being deemed ‘unsafe’ by the council.
Rise Park Community Centre, in Bestwood Park Drive, is one of 35 centres across the city hosting services including food banks, mental health support, and arts and crafts groups.
However, its manager, Karen Kemp, says the centre has been forced to close after the building deteriorated.
She said it shut on Tuesday (14 January) following an inspection and said she was disappointed with the decision.
Cllr Corall Jenkins, executive member for communities, waste and equalities at Nottingham City Council, confirmed specialist contractors visited the building on Tuesday and concluded it was unsafe following reports of cracks.
“The inspection concluded that the building is currently unsafe for occupancy, so unfortunately the community centre will need to remain closed while further investigations are carried out to determine the appropriate next steps,” she said.
“People’s safety has to be a top priority. Most community groups that regularly use the centre have been relocated to alternative venues.
“We appreciate the community’s understanding and co-operation during this time. We are committed to keeping people informed and will provide updates as more information becomes available.”
The closure of the centre comes at a time when the city council is planning cuts to other centres across Nottingham.
The Labour-run authority is currently proposing to cut subsidies to maintain, repair, and staff community centres from April to save more than £600,000.
Colin Wilderspin, strategic director of communities at the council, previously said the authority could no longer support the 35 community centres across the city with a subsidy due to its financial difficulties.
He said the council would encourage groups that could not afford to run the centres to submit business plans, where they could provide evidence of the social value of their work and potentially decrease rents from market rates.
Some community centre managers have said the proposals, which are set to be put in place by April this year, could leave them with significant costs.
Louise Holland, from the Sherwood Community Centre in Mansfield Road, said she feared the proposals would lump the group with repair bills of more than £100,000.
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