Community centre in Preston secures future for another year

Tanterton Community Centre has not been open and used as much as residents would like Pic: Google — There’s been a new lease of life for the community centre Pic: Google

A Preston community centre – handed over to a voluntary group three years ago – has become the focal point for the area.

Tanterton Community Centre was let go by Preston City Council in May 2014.

A not for profit company Tanterton Village Centre (TVC) was formed to take on the running of the community facility.

Since then it’s gone on to hold a range of events for kids and adults – and now has its own dedicated youth and community outreach worker.

A report to the city council’s cabinet member for resources councillor Martyn Rawlinson recommended further grant funding for the community centre’s operating company.

TVC is to receive £7,170 until April 2018 and there will be no rent charged by the city council for the next 12 months.

One of the trustees of the company, Alan Brookes, said: “The Trustees are very pleased with the ongoing grant of £7k from the City Council and our having the Centre rent free for a further twelve months.

“The award of the grant demonstrates the continuing faith that the City Council have in the Trustees being able to manage and operate the Tanterton Centre since taking it over in May 2014.

“The Centre had been previously ‘tinned up’ for some twelve months following the failure of the previous operator.”

Tanterton’s youth worker, Ryan McMylor, is funded by social landlord Places for People.

He’s been in post since August last year and is beginning to engage and put on events for teenagers in the area – many of whom are classed as ‘difficult to reach’.

Events running at Tanterton include youth groups on Monday evenings, chair based aerobics for seniors on Tuesday mornings, community cinema sessions on the second Tuesday of each month and boxing skills sessions on Friday evenings for eight to 16-year-olds.

Summer Fun sessions have begun throughout the school holidays, running from Tuesday 25 July to early September. Anyone interested can contact ryan@tantertonvillagecentre.org.uk

City council officers have noted a word of caution on the centre’s future – saying without the grant funding the TVC would struggle to keep the centre open.

Mr Brookes added: “It has been a somewhat difficult and fraught process at times but we are getting there. We now need to concentrate on securing funding to ensure a sustainable future.”

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