Border Telegraph | Sport | Support centre to close

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Thursday, 16th February, 2006 16:44

Support centre to close

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Connections, in the town’s Back Row, is being axed by care organization Brothers of Charity.

The move will also leave more than a dozen local groups and organizations homeless.

The former Tower Tavern was leased to Brothers in Charity in 2001 by owners Craigvar Construction.

Over the past five years Connections has become a valuable resource for adults who require specialist daycare.

And it is also regularly used by community groups for meetings, coffee mornings and entertainment evenings.

Ian Stevens from Brothers of Charity wouldn’t confirm a closure date. He said: “The social work department at the council is currently reviewing its daycare services. There is currently a move away from congregating people who require care together, and they will be encouraged to use facilities that are open to everyone.

“A final decision has still to be made.”

But the Border Telegraph has learned that the property could be vacated as soon as April.

And talks are ongoing to find another tenant who will be able to offer similar facilities to local groups.

Gordon Richardson, managing director of Craigvar Construction, told us: “We have received notice that Brothers of Charity are moving out. The lease will end in July but they will be moving out before that.

“I would be highly delighted if we could get another community-based project to go in. We know how well used the building is by groups in Selkirk.

“I am in talks just now and hopefully something will come out of them. If it doesn’t I would be happy to talk with representatives of the organizations who use the facilities, to see if they can come together and lease the building.”

One suggestion is for Selkirk Community Council to organise a delegation from the town’s groups to lease the premises.

But vice-chairman Dr Lindsay Neil told the Border Telegraph: “I can’t see the community council being able to take the facility on. You need people to run these places and there would be the overheads to think of as well – we simply don’t have the money.

“We will certainly do what we can to help the situation. It is a valuable resource for Selkirk.”

Scottish Borders Council confirmed that the learning disabilities service provided at Connections was being replaced by community-based projects.

Joint manager Eibhlin McHugh said: “These changes that are being considered are about delivering a better service for people with learning disabilities. They will provide the service users with more opportunities in a new and improved way.”

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