Roman Way Community Centre Put Up For Sale

A charity faces a fight for survival after Roman Way Community Centre in Market Harborough was put up for sale.

The site – which has an estimated value of £1.4m – is being sold by Leicestershire County Council, which says it is underused and expensive to keep open.

Shopmobility, which hires out mobility scooters and mobility aids, is a tenant in the building and has been given notice to leave by October 31st.

The charity has requested an extension to its lease, as a group wanting to buy the building and turn it into an arts and creative club, has six months to try and secure funding to put in a bid, after the centre was designated an ‘Asset Of Community Value.’

Shopmoblity has so far been unable to find a suitable alternative premises to move to and will close if it cannot re-locate.

Co-ordinator Amanda Ball spoke to HFM:

Roman Way Community Centre has been put up for sale

Agents marketing the community centre and the grounds say it is a ‘potential development site’.

It is also home to a meals-on-wheels provider and other groups also rent out space in the premises.

Harborough MP Neil O’Brien has requested a meeting with the county council and is pushing for Shopmobility to be allowed to remain in the building during the period of time the community group has to put in a bid to buy the premises.

The charity has also begun selling-off various mobility pavement scooters, fearing it will have to shut.

Leicestershire County Council says it is still considering the request for lease extension.