A community drop-in centre which has been in Whitchurch for more than 15 years will be closed and the service it provides suspended from tomorrow (Friday).
The office of Age Concern Shropshire Telford & Wrekin at the Manse in Dodington is shutting its doors as the lease on the office has run out and the building has been put up for sale.
There are fears that both staff members jobs may not be secure as funding has only been secured for one post from March – although charity bosses have said they will attempt to secure funding to keep both employees on.
Charity officials are now in negotiation with Shropshire County Council and Whitchurch Town Council about how the charity’s support for older people in North Shropshire will continue.
Heather Osborne, chief executive of Age Concern Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, confirmed a story reported in last week’s Chronicle that the charity was considering a move to Edinburgh House in Wem, the home of North Shropshire District Council.
She added that they were also in talks with Whitchurch Town Council which will consider their application to rent one of the units behind the heritage centre at their next full meeting.
Mrs Osborne said: “We very much want to stay in Whitchurch because we have a long association with the town. We have been offered accommodation in Wem and are hoping to know by Friday, it will be one or the other – if we can’t stay in Whitchurch we’ll move to Edinburgh House.
“We are determined to find the best way to continue to support the day centres in north Shropshire and to have a drop-in office in the north of the county so older people can come and talk to us if they have problems or worries.”
John Murray, Wem town and district councillor, said if the move happened he would welcome it.
He said: “It would be absolutely wonderful as it is desperately needed in Wem. Edinburgh House is the ideal place to put it as it is in the centre of town and user friendly for older people.
“Age Concern is a special charity which will be busy at the moment with the current situation and people struggling financially.”
Residents can contact Age Concern on 01948 665317 or the head office in Shrewsbury during normal office hours on 01743 233123.