ABERGELE Community Centre is set to close after Conwy County Borough Council said it will not be taking any further bookings at the building from September 29.

It has cited heating costs and cost-cutting as the reason for the decision.

The Grade II listed building will now go through the council’s asset disposal process, which will look for alternative uses and/or disposal to secure its future.

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Clwyd West MS, Darren Millar, said he was informed of the plans by residents and users of the centre last week, and has since set up a petition to try save it.

The centre is used by community groups including the U3A (University of the Third Age), WI Abergele  (Women's Institute), and Autumn Club.

Mr Millar has also written to the council, urging them to review their decision.

He said: “I am very concerned to learn that the local authority appears to have decided to close Abergele Community Centre without any public consultation or engagement with stakeholders, particularly those which use the building.

“This facility is much-loved and has been well used in the town for many years, so understandably, the groups who meet there are outraged.

“I have received a number of emails over the last few days from residents who are desperate for it to remain open. 

“This facility is an integral part of the local community and its closure would be a great loss and could force groups to close down, impacting on people’s mental health.

“The fact that the council made the decision without consulting with those who use the centre is wholly unacceptable and I have written to officers urging them to reconsider the decision.“

Residents can sign the online petition at: www.darrenmillar.wales/save-youth-and-community-centre-abergele.

In response, Conwy County Borough Council said that the building is “large” and “ageing”, and “in need of repair”.

Currently, the facility sits within the council’s youth service portfolio, but is no longer used by the youth service due to its location and internal structure.

Indeed, Abergele Youth Club has relocated to the Canolfan Dinorben Family Centre, which the council said provides “more modern facilities” and is “better located” for activities at Abergele Leisure Centre.

Cllr Julie Fallon, cabinet member for education, said: “The move has strengthened the youth provision offered in the area, and ensures that our youth service budget is spent on youth activities rather than maintaining an old building that needs significant investment to bring it up to modern standards.

“In addition, unfortunately, bookings for the building haven’t returned to the same level as before COVID, which has also had a financial impact on the service trying cover the building’s annual running costs.”

A number of community groups are still using the building, but only parts of the building are used and only for about one-third of the available time.

The groups have been notified and advised of alternative facilities in the area.