Johnson Fold UCAN Centre shuts over lack of use

Johnson Fold UCAN Centre has been closed by Bolton at Home this week.

A notice has been posted on the centre stating it 'regrettably' won't be reopening after Christmas. 

The housing association said the closure is due to falling demand, resulting in the centre 'no longer delivering value for money'. 

There are instead plans to now open 'pop-up' UCAN centres in the area 

Councillors say that they weren't given any time to organise a counter argument to the closure of the centre. 

The UCAN centre was reportedly closed due to falling demand (Image: Newsquest)

A Bolton at Home spokesperson said: "We’ve decided to close the building due to falling numbers of people requiring in-person support there.

"Not many people have been visiting the centre and, because of this drop in footfall, it’s only been open on Tuesday mornings.

"Having a service that few people are visiting means the Johnson Fold UCAN Centre is no longer delivering the value for money for tenants that we strive for.

"Our weekly Pop-Up UCAN centre at Sabden Garden in Johnson Fold has proved to be popular, therefore we’ll continue to deliver a UCAN centre service to the community from this site."

For more information on UCAN centres, visit: https://www.boltonathome.org.uk/ucan

Cllr Roger Hayes said: "We were only told a few days ago. We had no time to organise a counter argument. 

The notice on the front of the centre (Image: Newsquest)

"Bolton at Home, like everybody else, has problems with funding. 

"It has only been open for half a day a week for a while now, they say they will try to organise alternative activities elsewhere. 

"All they have done is told local councillors last Monday, and put a notice in the window." 

He added: "It is an area of deprivation, people think Smithills is a wealthy ward, parts are, but Johnson Fold is probably one of the most deprived areas. 

"People focus on the cuts since 2010, but I go back to 1990 and there have been cuts every year. 

"Most of it is cuts to Government grants. Council tax hasn't been able to go up as quickly as inflation." 

Last year it was announced Halliwell UCAN would be closing too.

UCAN centres were set up to provide help and advice from everything to finding a job to education and a community base for residents.