Cornish community centre pleas for £40,000 to stay open

Teresa Pickup said it would be a shame for the centre to close as visitors described feeling "accepted"

A community centre in Cornwall has said it needs £40,000 to stay open amid rising energy bills.

Staff at the Gateway Centre, in Launceston, said they had a fortnight to raise the money.

They said overall costs were set to rise by £70,000 next year, while they could not apply for grants at the moment.

The Elim Pentecostal Church, which owns the centre, said the money would help it stay open for the time being.

Reverend Kevin Pickup, from the church, said they would have "no choice" but to close the centre at the end of the month if not enough funds were raised.

"We know that this will be a huge loss to the community and the groups who currently use the project," he said.

Although owned by the church, it said it could not prop it up financially.

The Gateway Centre says it needs £40,000 to stay open

The centre, which opened in 2013, includes a cafe, help with debt and depression advice, and other services such as gardening therapy.

A range of groups and clubs make use of the centre, including day care, table tennis and a choir.

Teresa Pickup, the centre's manager, said a 10-year lease was due to be extended with Cornwall Council, but they were unable to apply for funding in the interim.

She said £40,000 would help keep the project viable for six months while a new lease was signed and funding secured.

"Sadly, our fixed costs, such as energy bills, are projected to go up by £70,000 this financial year," she said.

Ms Pickup said it would be a shame for the centre to close as visitors described feeling "accepted" and staff were treated were "like family".

She said users of the centre historically helped to ensure bills were paid and the church had been "good stewards" of the finances.

"Every single person is known by name, they are important as individuals," she said.