Fight to save Blandford Youth and Community Centre from closure
An emergency meeting will be held next week
Last updated 14th Feb 2025
An emergency meeting is being held next week to try and reverse the closure of the Blandford Youth and Community Centre.
Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for children’s services and education, Cllr Clare Sutton, says she will be at a meeting on February 20th with trustees from the Treads Youth Advice and Information Centre, alongside officers from Children’s Services and Dorset Youth Association to try and find a way forward.
She has rejected a plea from Blandford councillor Bryron Quayle to investigate what led to the decision to close, telling him that the decision was made by the centre’s trustees without the involvement of Dorset Council.
“As the centre was not run or managed by Dorset Council it would not be appropriate for us to undertake an investigation,” she said.
Added Cllr Sutton: “I absolutely recognise the impact that this will have on the Blandford community … This meeting will look to identify how we can work with community partners to mitigate the loss of the youth centre and ensure local young people have access to a trusted adult and a safe place to go, and I welcome your support and involvement in how we address these challenges.”
Cllr Quayle told the February Dorset Council meeting: “This facility has been an integral part of the community, providing essential services and support to local youth and residents. The abrupt closure has caused significant concern among community members, who are keen to understand the circumstances leading to this decision.”
Cllr Sutton said that ‘considerable efforts’ had been made in the autumn to keep the club open involving ward councillors and the chief executive of the Dorset Youth Association with several actions considered, including how new trustees could be recruited, negotiation with the school about the building costs, and whether the building could be used as a Family Hub – which was not possible.
Financial grants had been paid to the Dorset Council Youth and Community Centre in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.