Roman Way Community Centre To Close

Market Harborough’s Roman Way Community Centre is to close leaving a charity facing an uncertain future.

Leicestershire County Council says it cannot afford to keep running the building and is to sell it off.

Shopmobility, which rents out mobility scooters and other mobility aids, will be one of the tenants forced to leave when the closure happens next year.

Scheme Co-ordinator Amanda Ball told HFM it is a concerning time, as they need to be based close to the town centre:

Roman Way Community Centre is to close

The county council stopped using the centre for in-house support for adults with disabilities earlier this year, although HFT which also supports people with disabilities still rents space there, as do some other organisations.

It is also used for adult learning services provided by the council and by a catering company which provides meals on wheels services.

It is understood the centre will close in the middle of next year and Harborough MP Neil O’Brien has called for an urgent meeting with the council, to discuss how those affected can be found new accommodation elsewhere:

Mark Woodbridge from Shopmobility outside the charity’s base at Roman Way Community Centre

A spokesperson for Leicestershire County Council said: “We’re very aware of the concerns raised in relation to the future of the site, but unfortunately, we can’t afford to keep running it and the facility is substantially underused.

“Shopmobility and other organisations which currently operate from the site are fully aware of the situation, with Roman Way being surplus to the council’s requirements.

“We’ll try and support them to find alternative locations where we can, and they will be fully informed of developments.

“We will also be meeting with Mr O’Brien in due course.”