A COMMUNITY group has been given a place to host its meetings thanks to Workington Town Council.

The Frostom's Friends & Family Group had nowhere to host its meetings after being told by Castles & Coasts last year that it could no longer use a room at the Moorbank’s office on Annie Pit.

Workington Town Council was keen to make use of the space for community groups in their new building on Princess Street and has given the group somewhere to hold their meetings.

Councillor Carole Armstrong said that she is 'delighted to have helped the group find a new home'.

She said: "We are losing community buildings and small groups are missing out.”

Councillor Paul Scott said “This is the first time we as a Council have been in a position to support local groups with this type of thing. As a council we want to support our community and we’re happy to talk to all groups in need, the community centre is available for all types of events from meetings to bingo groups.”

Anna Bates – Head of Housing at CCHA said: “During 2020, Castles & Coasts Housing Association (CCHA) carried out a review of this very large building, which was previously two family homes, and had sat largely unused for a number of years, with the exception of one day per week that the building was used by the Frostoms Group.

“There is a great need for additional affordable housing in Allerdale. Allerdale Borough Council’s Housing Strategy (2016-21) identifies a need for an additional 175 new affordable housing properties, each year. CCHA, as a major social housing provider in the area, see ourselves as instrumental in bringing, much needed, social housing to this area. This is why the decision was taken to turn the largely unused building into affordable family housing.

“For some considerable time, we have been working with members of the Frostoms Group, to explain the reasons which have led us to make this decision – the overwhelming need for affordable housing. We have been working with them to look for an alternative meeting place. However, this has proven difficult, predominately due to COVID-19.
"We understand the impact that this has had on the Frostoms Group and we remain committed to working with them, to find a suitable alternative meeting place.”