Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has launched an online petition to save Abergele Youth and Community Centre after Conwy County Council took the decision to close the facility without consulting with the public or those who use it.  

The local authority has announced that it will not be taking any further bookings from the centre from September 29th citing heating costs and cost cutting as the reason for the decision.

Darren was informed of the plans by outraged residents and users of the centre on Friday.

He has now launched a petition in a bid to save the centre, which is used by a number of community groups in the area, including the U3A (University of the Third Age), WI Abergele  (Women's Institute), and Autumn Club, and in the meantime has written to Conwy County Council urging them to review their decision.

He said:

“I am very concerned to learn that the local authority appears to have decided to close Abergele Youth and Community Centre without any public consultation or engagement with stakeholders, particularly those which use the building.

“This facility is much loved and has been well used in the town for many years, so understandably the groups who meet there are outraged. I have received a number of emails over the last few days from residents who are desperate for it to remain open.  

“This facility is an integral part of the local community and its closure would be a great loss and could force groups to close down, impacting on people’s mental health.

“The fact that the council made the decision without consulting with those who use the centre is wholly unacceptable and I have written to officers urging them to reconsider the decision.“

Abergele residents can sign the online petition at https://www.darrenmillar.wales/save-youth-and-community-centre-abergele