Ludlow youth centre fight goes on
Campaigners have vowed to keep on fighting plans to turn parts of a youth centre into offices for Shropshire Council staff, even though builders have already moved in.
More than 200 people have signed up to a new Hands Off Ludlow Youth Centre group on Facebook, and a letter-writing campaign has been started asking why young people who use the centre were not told about the changes until the last minute.
A letter has been written to the Children's Commissioner about the lack of consultation. Investigations are also being made into how Shropshire Council has used funds allocated to the centre.
Council staff are due to move in from April 1 but builders are already working on the site – sparking anger among campaigners.
Sammy Powell, who uses the building with Working Together, a charity for young people with learning disabilities, uploaded pictures of the centre's cleared art and craft room to Facebook.
In a post on the site, she said: "After we raised our voices and put our views forward we are still not being taken seriously.
"Changes to start from April 1 (this is no April fool) have already begun, and still no update or consultation for the young people that use LYC."
Karen Badlan, who works at the centre, said: "Angry and depressed. Going to keep on fighting though."
The plans came to light at the end of last month and teenagers and youth workers held a protest outside Ludlow's Conservative Party headquarters while MP Philip Dunne held a surgery.
Last week Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for youth services insisted clubs at the centre would still have access to the main youth club room, IT suite, kitchen, chill out rooms and outside space.
