Ironbridge Parish Room to close through lack of use

A public meeting was held last night to decide the future of the Ironbridge Parish Room, a Grade II listed building which was refurbished in the 1970s.

Its trustees said the community building was not making any money and the bank balance would not see out the year.

Only seven people attended the public meeting held at the Parish Room, on Madeley Bank, with a vote of six to one in favour of the building closing. Treasurer Anne Fletcher said: "We were struggling to keep the place going. We were running out of money and did not have enough people using it.

"It is sad because it is a lovely building but it was almost inevitable. There is too much competition from other village halls, which we do not mind, but there is just not enough business to go around."

Mrs Fletcher said one of the problems the building had faced was the lack of access for people with a disability.

"There is no way we can install a lift because it would cost an arm and a leg. The building has been overtaken by time and got left behind."

She said a closing date was not finalised as the trustees now had to apply to the Charity Commission to close the community venue due to charity regulations.

The lease would then be handed back to the Hereford diocesan board of finance.

Mrs Fletcher said: "Not many people came to the meeting, despite it being well publicised, which showed that the community was not that interested in keeping it open.

"There is a lot of paperwork to do now and we must dispose of the assets, such as the table, chairs, cutlery and curtains, for the best possible price because it is a charity."

She said the trustees hoped other village halls, in Coalbrookdale, Jackfield and Coalport would be interested in buying the equipment and furniture.