Day centre more popular

The Laburnum Centre's number of day visitors has more than tripled since last June when its running was taken over by Age Concern West Sussex.

In March, 162 of the visitors went along to enjoy the activities at the Lyon Street facilitiy compared to just 50 when the charity took charge.

The enjoyment available at the centre for the over 55s ranges from gym sessions to bridge to Hawaiian dancing, introduction to computers, dancing and calligraphy. Line dancing and chair aerobics are the most popular sessions among the some 50 which take place there.

Lunch orders have also increased at the centre during the period from 624 to 668 to reflect the extra usage.

The number of full members at the centre rose slightly to 887 against 868 in June 2006, while hairdresser and chiropody appointments both declined slightly.

The report is the first to be produced by Age Concern for Arun District Council since the control of the centre was switched.

The charity took on the Laburnum, and its counterpart Tamarisk Centre at Littlehampton, last July 1 on a ten-year deal.

The change was intended to provide stability for the centres while relieving the council of the subsidies needed to keep both buildings open.

The annual report is being presented to Arun's performance scrutiny committee members next Tuesday.