Palfrey Community Association: Youth service 'devastated' at loss of centre
The closure of Palfrey Community Centre has been described as “devastating” by a youth worker.
Riz Ahmed, who is the director of Youth Connect in Walsall, ran services out of the community centre until its sudden closure on Friday.
The centre shut its doors after its parent company, Palfrey Community Association Ltd, went into liquidation.
It owes about £180,000 to Walsall Council, according to council leader Councillor Mike Bird.
All staff are now out of work and all the services offered from the centre – including a youth club and day nursery – have ceased.
Mr Ahmed, who used to attend the youth club himself as a child, described the news as “really disappointing”.
He said: “Youth Connect delivered the youth work at the centre and for Palfrey Community Association.
"All our sessions that were delivered from the community centre have ceased.
"The children that attended are obviously disappointed, they have lost their home and their social life.
"I used to attend the youth club at Palfrey when I was younger which makes this even harder for me. It is devastating.”
Mr Ahmed now wants to bring other groups who used the centre together to try and find a way forward.
He said: “The building is council owned. We want to work with them to try and keep the services running.
"We are also looking to try and bring together all the groups that worked out of the community centre to try and find a solution.
"Anyone who thinks they might be able to help can call me on 07771 791136.”
Palfrey Community Association took the decision to cease trading after it became “no longer financially sustainable”.
