Gamesley comes together and makes a pledge to keep their community centre open... again

The community of Gamesley have made a plea to local MP Jon Pearce, as well as High Peak Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council.

The Gamesley Community Group (GCG), a charity newly formed to take over the running of the Gamesley Community Centre, is pleading with Jon Pearce, the Leader and Deputy Leader of High Peak, and Allen Shepherd, Principal Disposals Officer at DCC, not to close the centre prior to its transfer to the GCG, which is anticipated to be completed the next few months.

Helen Thornhill, a trustee at GCG, addressed the matter: "The whole community has supported GCG over this year, and is eager to see the ,entre fully functional, offering services, support, and facilities to local organisations and the community. We also have prospective funders but can't advance applications for funding until we have a lease, or the freehold, or a guarantee of such.

"We have lined up a significant number of charitable organisations, statutory service providers, and a host of recreational facilitators but are frustrated by the plans of DCC to close down the centre on 30th September and until the land transactions are complete.

"However, such a closure will only serve to create uncertainty in those organisations and groups who want to operate from the centre, and if they seek alternative accommodation, our projected income stream will be impacted negatively. DCC previously gave a statutory body user notice to quit, they did, and that dented our projected income going forward. Since then, we have been working hard to get them back in at least some capacity. This illustrates that our concerns about losing users is real."

Helen continued: "We have sought advice from various professionals and they have asked how the land transfer and any conditions could be easily and quickly achieved. DCC would surrender it's current long lease to High Peak, and High Peak would grant a long lease, or transfer its freehold to GCG."

She acknowledged that making the centre viable "will be a challenge", and that they urgently need to sign up interested parties.

"Our Business Plan had to be reconsidered when, amongst other matters, an independent condition survey set repair costs at almost £900,000, well in excess of the original DCC survey result at £80,000," she added. 

"We have reached out before to Jon Pearce and he, and HP leaders, as well as Allen, have been helpful. However, we now need the full backing of these key people to enable the Centre to bring back services and hope to the community."

The centre is regarded by many people in Gamesley as a vital element in the health, welfare, and future of the wellbeing of the community.

Any individual or group wishing to donate or help GCG is asked to contact helen@the-bureau.org.uk or donate here https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-hangout-club-gamesley-youth-club