Surrey day centres shut as fire safety reassessed

Elmbridge Borough Council has apologised for the closures

Six day centres in Surrey have been shut while staff reassess fire safety risks.

Elderly and vulnerable people attend activities at the sites at Claygate, Cobham, Hersham, Molesey, Walton-on-Thames and Weybridge.

Elmbridge Borough Council said it was hoping to restart some services on 11 December, but the centres will not fully reopen until January 2024.

The council said the most vulnerable customers would be supported throughout the closure.

"We know our centres are a source of much support to our customers and we apologise for the short notice and for the disappointment this will cause," Elmbridge Borough Council said in a statement.

The authority said it was "reacting quickly" to ensure the safety of its customers and employees and would contact customers who had bookings.

Any activities that had been paid for in advance would be refunded and the council said it would do its "utmost" to reschedule special seasonal events.