A Labour councillor has spoken out about the threat to a community centre in her ward in Brighton.
Councillor Mo Marsh said that The Bridge was an asset which helped vulnerable residents and had managed to secure funding at a time when money was scarce.
But it is based in premises which are due to be demolished as part of the building work at the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, formerly Falmer High School, on land owned by Brighton and Hove City Council.
Councillor Marsh, who represents Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, said: “The centre is an asset to the city – and staff at The Bridge have already worked hard to secure future funding for its services at a time when such money is scarce.
“Now they face another hurdle thanks to the council informing them that they will have to leave their current home.
“That’s why I have written a letter of support to the council asking them to give all the help they can to The Bridge as well as asking them what they are doing to help secure these vital services for city residents.”
She said that those services include careers and job advice, IT, literacy and numeracy support, outreach and community development work and health and wellbeing provision.
An Aldridge Foundation spokesman said: “We think the services they offer are really important and we want them to continue in some form.
“We are talking to the council and The Bridge about how that happens.”
A council spokesman said: “We’re aware of the value of The Bridge’s work.
“We’re keen to support them and are continuing to work with them to try to find a long-term solution.
“Officers are again discussing it this week but we’re not expecting an overnight answer, unfortunately.”
Demolition of the old main school building is due to begin next week. No date has been set for the demolition of the building that houses The Bridge.
