A RECOVERY centre for town centre revellers in Burnley is set to close its doors this weekend – because party animals are staying out until dawn.

Paramedics staff the Retreat and Recovery Centre in Hammerton Street until 3am, but the number of cases being dealt with has dwindled as young drinkers increasingly stay out until first light.

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Licensing bosses in Burnley were told last year that patrons of Blu Bar were seen leaving the Cow Lane premises at 6am and beyond – and Barcode has also lodged a recent application to open until 6.30am.

Council bosses have heralded the work of their own staff, medics, police and volunteers who have ensured assistance has been offered to those in need for more than five years.

But it has been confirmed the centre, which even recovered after a drink-driver ploughed into the front of the premises last year, will close for good tomorrow.

The move was confirmed to the Lancashire Telegraph after it emerged the Hammerton Street base had been advertised for letting with estate agent Trevor Dawson.

Town hall officials say an efficiency review of the operation found the numbers of people using the facility had steadily dropped.

And with the urgent care centre at Burnley General Hospital also thought to be attracting numbers of ‘walking wounded’ usually dealt with by the centre, a decision was taken to axe the service.

Cllr Tony Harrison, community services cabinet member, said: “The health workers, police officers, council staff and volunteers involved in this centre have done a brilliant job. I am sorry to see it go.

“At the same time, this decision is a product of the centre’s success. People who regularly come into town are now more aware about safety and support issues than they were.”

Street pastors, who have also been involved with the service and are now based at Burnley Central Methodist Church, will continue to patrol.

Council bosses have not ruled out running a temporary retreat and recover service over busy periods such as Christmas and New Year in future, possibly by using a mobile unit or ‘pop-up’ shop.