Groups forced to leave Ivo Centre

A wide range of groups have been left looking for a new meeting place as a popular Spalding venue is taken under county council control.

For almost 40 years, the Ivo Day Centre on Albion Street has been a safe haven for groups ranging from addiction support to mental health services. Now building owner Lincolnshire County Council has given the Ivo Day Centre Charity notice to quit.

The county council will be using the venue for a young person’s service but says it will still be available for hire in the evenings and at weekends.

The charity, which currently manages the centre, has been given a notice date of September 9.

Daytime groups which meet there regularly, including mums and tots, friendship groups, South Holland Deaf Club, Fulney WI and a fitness class, will all be left looking for alternative venues.

Charity chairman Mick Pell says they are disappointed and angry with the decision which will displace more than 400 people who use the centre every month.

He said: “We charge a nominal fee, and many of the groups will find it hard to find new venues, particularly any as cheap as we are.

“On top of that, the centre’s location gives groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous the privacy they need.

“We also have a quiet, safe back garden, which is so important for the mental health groups that use the venue.”

A statement from the charity said: “After 39 years of service to the community, The Ivo Resource and Day Centre will be forced to close on September 9.

“The building is being repurposed by Lincolnshire County Council, who will take full control of the building.

“The Ivo Day Centre Charity management are understandably disappointed LCC have taken this action, we are also disappointed that LCC did not see fit to discuss the closure with us beforehand.

“We also feel let down by South Holland District Council who without notice to the charity had relinquished their responsibility to the centre some years ago.

“We are equally disappointed with the lack of support from council members, both district and county, who were fully aware of the benefit the centre was giving to the wider community.

“The Ivo Day Centre Charity will aim to continue to support the people of South Holland where possible.

“We would like to thank all those who have given their support over the years, and we wish all users all the best for the future.”

Paul Smith, interim assistant director of corporate property for LCC, said: “For some time, the county council has been looking for appropriate accommodation in Spalding for the Young People’s Learning Provision (YPLP) service and the Ivo Day Centre fits best to deliver post-16 education. The YPLP teach four days a week in the town and this will replace their current leased accommodation at Broadgate House, due to end in the summer.

“The Ivo Centre will still be available for hire to the community in the evenings and at weekends. In fact, the council had discussions with the Ivo group in 2018 about co-locating with YPLP and retaining some management of the building out of teaching hours but they declined the offer.

“We are now working with groups who use the centre to help them find alternative venues, including the centre itself when it’s not needed by YPLP.”