Day centre opens in Old Town after revamp

The Isabel Blackman Centre in Winding Street in the Old Town was controversially closed last year - with angry residents labelling the decision as 'a slap in the face for pensioners'.

Then opposition councillor now leader of Hastings Borough Council Jeremy Birch questioned the decision to change the way the town's elderly were provided for.

The concerns though fell on deaf ears, at East Sussex County Council went ahead.

Now, nine months on, the centre is open again - with the first people coming through the doors last week.

And the county council is convinced it made the right decision.

Cllr Bill Bentley, head of adult social care at the county council, said: "This is a wonderful centre for local people in the Hastings area.

"It is a new model working with partners, to provide a community hub and adult opportunities.

"As well as day-care, people can sit down and meet their friends in the cafe, take part in a class or get some advice and information on what facilities are available."

At the moment the building is just being used by people who need the support, but the plan is to open it up to the general public later this year.

Elderly residents had been forced to use the Moreton Centre in Boscobel Road, St Leonards while refurbishment work was carried out.

However, the Observer reported earlier this month that the St Leonards day centre would close - with pensioners expected to use the revamped Isabel Blackman on the other side of town.

One relative, who did not want to be named, said: "I think it's quite disgraceful to treat the elderly residents of Hastings and St Leonards like this."