Future of charity 'in limbo' after eviction notice

The future of a mobility scooter service is "in limbo" after the group was issued an eviction notice.

Leicestershire County Council, which owns Roman Way Community Centre in Market Harborough, intends to sell the building and tenants were told to vacate by 31 October.

The independent charity Harborough Shopmobility, which is based at the centre, said it has not yet found a suitable location to continue to offer the service.

The county council said over the last three months it had helped occupiers to "identify a number of alternative locations".

Many charities and community services are based at the centre.

The authority said it planned to sell the building as it was "declared surplus to requirements".

In April, the council informed tenants they would need to find a new venue and move by the end of October, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Harborough Shopmobility lends wheelchairs and mobility scooters to people with limited mobility to help them access shops and leisure facilities in the town.

Sandra Clegg, 81, who suffers from osteoarthritis, said borrowing a mobility scooter from the service twice a week gave her independence.

"I love hiring out the scooter because I can do my shopping," she said. "I can get around town and meet people.

"It's definitely a lifeline."

Amanda Ball, scheme co-ordinator at Harborough Shopmobility, said a base near the town centre was needed in order to provide the service.

It also needs space to store about 15 mobility scooters and 15 wheelchairs, in addition to a workshop area.

She said although the authority suggested places to move into, they did not meet their needs.

Ms Ball added: "We haven't got anywhere else to go.

"If Leicestershire County Council stick to this, then we've got to be out of here by 31 October.

"It's not looking likely [we are going to find anywhere else]."

However, there could be hope for the centre after Harborough District Council registered the building as an asset of community value, which gives local people an opportunity to buy it.

A community group has until 19 September to register an interest and a further six months to put together a bid to purchase the centre.

Ms Ball said the uncertainty on the future of the centre had left them "in limbo", but hoped a successful bid would save the service.

A Leicestershire County Council spokesperson said: "We’re working hard to assist the current occupiers of Roman Way Community Centre, and over the last three months we have helped to identify a number of alternative locations.

"Tenants have been advised that the council was aiming for 31 October for the property to be vacated.

"In light of the timetable imposed by the asset of community value listing we are currently considering the position of all current occupiers.

"We will continue to be in close dialogue to ensure they are kept fully informed."

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.