A Buckinghamshire support centre is set to be axed following funding struggles and rising energy bills amid the cost of living crisis.   

Healthy Living Centre on Aylesbury’s Hannon Road shared the sad news on Thursday (September 29) as it announced the official closing date for the hub supporting disadvantaged communities in Southcourt and Walton Court areas.

Since 2002, the centre has supported the residents of Walton Court in one of the most disadvantaged areas in the South East of England through services and activities tailored to different age groups and interests.

READ MORE: Beaconsfield Station commuter calls for car park security

Chair of Healthy Living Centre and board member Julia King said: “We are devastated that it has come to this but we just cannot see a way out, given the circumstances.

“We were already struggling due to having lost our EU funding following Brexit as well as the after-effects of the pandemic, but recent operational challenges and sky-high energy bills have been the final blow.

“We have held out as long as we could for the sake of the community but with the greatest regret have come to the conclusion that we simply cannot continue.”

The centre remains open to the public as usual until December 23, followed by partial services until March 16 before a final closure on March 31 2023.

The achievements of the centre for people in Buckinghamshire over the past two decades were something to be proud of, Ms Kind said.

Now the Healthy Living Centre focuses on pouring “our energy into making our closure as bearable as possible for our staff and beneficiaries once we cease to operate at the end of March next year.”

Ms King added: “We will continue to fulfil our purpose and support the community until then.”

HLC also conducts outreach work in Oakridge and Castlefield in High Wycombe, and Vale area in Chesham. 

READ MORE: High Wycombe men convicted of numerous drug crimes