by Nicola Jordan

The long-running battle to save Age Concern Chatham, the drop-in centre which is a life line for hundreds of elderly people across Medway, has failed.

The charity’s trustees announced that the centre in Hopewell Drive in Luton will close next month, despite efforts by Chatham MP Tracey Crouch and the council to keep it open.

Ms Crouch, who acted as intermediary between the charity and the council, has pledged to find an alternative service for the users.

She said: “I am incredibly disappointed by Age Concern Chatham’s decision to withdraw providing a service at the Hopewell Centre.

"It is now my absolute priority to work with Medway Council to find a service provider for all those people affected by this decision, with preferably a continued service at the Hopewell Centre.”

Ms Crouch added that she had come away feeling positive from the last joint meeting on October 29 and she was optimistic that an alternative could be found.

She said: “I shall be writing to all those I have been in contact with, many of whom are vulnerable, offering reassurance.”

Trustees chairman John Golding said in a statement: “It is with deep regret that the trustees of Age Concern Chatham are unable to continue due to lack of funding. The doors to the Hopewell Centre will close after the patrons’ New Year’s Eve party on Monday December 31, 2012.

“There is a full activity programme planned until our final day. We hope that patrons will continue to join us for activities and especially our Christmas party celebrations where we share a meal and memories of past friends and events.

“The trustees would like to take this opportunity to personally thank our staff and volunteers, our patrons and all our friends for their continued support over the last 43 years.”

Cllr David Brake, who is in charge of old people’s services, said: "We have received final confirmation from the Trustees of Age Concern Chatham that they will close on New Year’s Eve. This is very disappointing news for the old people who use the Hopewell Drive centre and their family carers.

“Medway Council offered to underwrite liabilities at the charity and to work with them over the next four years to ensure the service could continue so we are surprised and disappointed to learn of the Trustee’s decision.

“Council staff will now focus on ensuring the people who rely on this service and their carers will have alternative services to support them. Contingency plans are being discussed with other local charities and the council will work to ensure support services are made available.”

Age Concern Chatham ran into financial problems three years ago when it was forced out of its Chatham town centre base which it leased for a peppercorn rent.