Campaign launched to stop Derbyshire Council closing a Glossop community centre

Staff at Pure Vibes Centre in Whitfield have been told it will be closed this summer, resulting in the loss of a vital resource for hundreds of local people in one of Glossop’s most deprived communities.

The closure is the second to hit the area in six months and came out of the blue for organisers of the many community groups running activities at the centre. These include facilities for people at all stages of life, from toddler groups to youth clubs, food clubs and social activities for older people. 

“This will have a massive negative impact on the lives of people in Whitfield,” says Helen Thornhill from Move More Glossop.  “I run the High Fives youth club in the hall and we’ve been getting really good feedback from local schools who say pupils’ behaviour improved noticeably after they attended our martial arts sessions.”

Helen says they’ve been trying to develop a social café at Pure Vibes because Whitfield has nowhere else for people to gather. There’s no local pub, café, village hall, GP surgery or Post Office, just one corner shop, and the loss of Pure Vibes would be a devastating blow. 

“I was shocked to hear about this closure that’s been announced without any consultation with those who’ll be affected,” says Labour Parliamentary candidate for High Peak Jon Pearce.

“Pure Vibes has been an amazing place where local people can go to try and fill some of the gaps created by 14 years of Tory abandonment. Every club that’s lost at Pure Vibes will increase the pressure on public services like the police and the NHS.  It just doesn’t make sense. There will be nothing left for the local community if local Conservatives have their way. I’ll be supporting local people in every way I can to save this vital community resource ”

Conservative candidate for the High Peak Robert Largan commented: "I am very concerned about the talk of Pure Vibes Centre being closed. I have had urgent talks with senior members of the Council who have told me that no decision has been taken.

 “The centre and the community groups that use it are really important to Whitfield. I have asked the Council to immediately suspend any evictions and I will be standing up for the people of Whitfield.”

Glossop is already facing the closure of a community centre at Gamesley at the end of June. Jon Pearce is supporting Helen in asking Derbyshire County Council to launch a community consultation before any action is taken on Pure Vibes.