Charity 'deeply upset' by homeless day centre closure

A charity that runs a day centre for rough sleepers and homeless people has said it is "deeply upsetting" that it is closing.

Smart CJS will shut its Prebend Centre, in Bedford, on Thursday 1 October.

Its services and some staff will transfer to Bedford Borough Council, which said it was part of an "overhaul to better reflect demand".

The centre provides "a lifeline" by offering "essentials such as hot meals, showers, laundry facilities, and clothing - alongside a listening ear from our dedicated team", the charity added.

"This has been an extremely difficult decision and one we have not taken lightly," it said.

"We are pleased that most of the Smart team will also transfer, continuing to work with the people we currently support and providing vital continuity and familiar faces.

"Securing the long-term funding needed to sustain it has become increasingly difficult, particularly as local funding priorities have changed."

It said it will ensure everyone that uses the centre will get "clear information, practical support, and signposting to trusted partners".

Louise Ritchie, its chief executive officer, said: "I have confidence in these changes.

"I know that until the final day every single member of our team will continue to put their heart and soul into their jobs."

The council said that due to the government's National Plan To End Homelessness, it had been encouraged "to focus on early intervention and homelessness prevention".

Conservative councillor Andrea Spice, portfolio holder for economic prosperity, planning, housing and regulatory services, said the authority had worked closely with Smart for more than 10 years, and its staff had "consistently gone above and beyond".

The council will continue to offer rough sleeper outreach and welfare.

A night bed service will be remodelled from overnight camp beds in a hall to self-contained rooms.

It will give "customers safe and warm spaces to stay during the day, with their own cooking and washing facilities, and provide them with dignity, privacy and the opportunity to build independence", the council added.

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