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Â鶹ÊÓƵ has pledged its support to users of a Community Association who were told their centre was to close in early May.

The Community Interest Organisation which operates the Community Association at Chuter Ede in South Shields informed groups of its decision to close on 5 May for financial reasons. The Council was not involved in this decision at all.

However, Â鶹ÊÓƵ, which owns the building, has stepped in and agreed to extend the closure date to the end of the summer holidays and has pledged to work with groups during this time to help them find new premises to operate from..

Councillor Ruth Berkley, Lead Member for the Voluntary Sector, Partnerships and Equalities, said: "We appreciate that this is an unsettling time as a result of a decision made by a third party and in which we had no part.

"The groups who use this centre are our number one priority and we are doing, and will continue to do, all we can to support them."

Groups which use the centre are aware of the Council's long term plans for the site which has been earmarked for Extra Care accommodation for adults with care needs. Although still at the design stage, this will include integrated community facilities as part of the Council's ambitions to build strong communities and help people stay well and healthy throughout their lives.

A planning application for the new Extra Care scheme is likely to be submitted early next year. If approved, work would likely start towards the back end of that year.