CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after a popular community centre was saved from closure.

The Chai Centre in Burnley looked set to shut its doors for good when County Hall bosses announced they would no longer subsidise health provisions at the centre because of Government funding cuts.

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However thanks to the efforts of Burnley’s MP Julie Cooper, councillors, businesses and community groups the ‘vital community asset’ will be able to continue to support residents.

Social housing provider Calico and Burnley Leisure Trust will now work in partnership with the community to form a social enterprise company which will raise funds though a healthy option community cafe and a fully-modernised gym.

Residents and regular uses of the Hurtley Street centre’s wide range of facilities said any other outcome would have been ‘an absolute shame’.

Father of four, Naim Iltaf, 39, said: “It’s really good news that the Chai Centre has been saved.

“If it had gone it would have been terrible for the community.

“It is a building with a multitude of different services.

“You can go to that one place and get everything you need. My wife and children have all used it.”

Mum-of-two Shameem Ara, of Barden Lane, said: “Quite a few people were very shocked that it was under threat.

“I am a regular user of it and it would have been an absolute shame if anything had happened.

“The whole community find it useful. It’s got a gym and a children’s centre.

“It is regularly used by the community particularly Asian women who want to come out and integrate.”

The centre, which is currently being refurbished, is set to reopen in the coming weeks.

Services were formerly provided by Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust and paid for by Lancashire County Council until March this year.

Lancashire Care still owns the building.

Mrs Cooper said: “I am delighted that months of hard work and bringing various parties around the table has resulted in the saving of this vital community asset.

“While there was no ‘magic wand’ to conjure up the shortfall in funding resulting from the government’s austerity cuts to local authorities, I have been driven throughout by the thought, ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way’.

“Clearly we needed to come up with some more creative solutions and I am pleased to say that the sheer hard work and determination shown by all involved has paid off.

“We have come up with a sound business plan that will mean the centre is able to continue.

“I look forward to seeing the new and improved Chai Centre going from strength to strength.”

Daneshouse with Stoneyholme councillor Shah Hussain, who is also a director of Burnley Leisure Trust, said: “We ran a campaign from October onwards and there was a huge feeling within the community that this service needed to be saved.

“We had around 300 to 400 people in the Chai Centre for a meeting trying to save it.

“We are one of the most deprived areas in Lancashire.

“The centre will help alleviate some of the health related problems in the area.

“We have to give the community a lot of credit for turning up and raising their voices.”

Fellow ward councillor Wajid Khan said: “To get people together and to be able to speak to people just highlighted the vital importance of this facility for people in this constituency.”

Philip Jones, Calico’s head of skills, employability and enterprise, said: “The Chai Centre is an excellent community resource and we’re currently exploring options to be involved in securing its future along with Burnley Leisure Trust and other partners.”

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health for Lancashire County Council, said: “The decision not to continue funding the Chai Centre healthy living café and gym after March 2016 was a difficult one.

“We’re pleased there is now a way forward.”