Vocal Voices

The Town's local Royal British Legion Club announced on FB last night that they would be closing down, effective of midnight tonight.

They have looked at their accounts and finances, and whilst they are still currently solvent, they say that they can only see that they will be going to go into debt this year, and therefore have decided to close before they rack up accounts they won't be able to pay.

They cite:
Lack of footfall following Covid
Minimum wage increases
Increasing heating and lighting costs
and the final straw - Rachael Reeves's increase in employers NI costs.

And this in the 80th Anniversary Year of VE Day. It's a crying shame and yet another blow to an already ailing town centre.

That is sad Os; and it will not be the only club to close.
Trade is down and costs are way up.
Energy bills especially will kill off many businesses.

What are us pensioners going to do when these clubs and similar venues have closed?

They have been a life line to many elderly people for many years where they could meet and chat and get free advice and help.

It will only add more strain on the already overloaded local authority Social Srvices.