People urged to support day centre as future looks bleak

The future of a day centre described as 'cosy and warm' is still looking unsure despite a petitition with 1,100 names supporting it.

Royal Borough councillors voted at their meeting on Tuesday to refer a final decision on the future of Gardner House Day Centre in Harrow Lane to the authority's ruling cabinet in June, making it increasingly likely that its services will be transferred to Lady Elizabeth House in Boyn Hill Avenue.

Kim Walsh, whose 88-year-old mum is a regular at Gardner House, spoke up at the council meeting, pointing out the centre was only seven years old.

She said: "It is cosy and warm, providing tasty, nourishing lunches. There is a lovely conservatory, a garden. They hold quizzes, exercise sessions, entertainment. It just needs promoting."

But the centre has suffered a decline in useage. There were 73 people on its books when it opened in 2006 which has dropped to 22 with as few as seven attendances some days.