MP visits Honiton’s CUB as it faces ‘tragic’ closure if it is unable to raise urgent repair funds

The Community Use Building (CUB) in Honiton faces closure this summer if the charity which runs it is unable to raise the £34,000 needed for urgent repairs.

A massive fundraising scheme is underway, but the situation has now become acute with a lot of work needed on the roof in particular.

With peeling paint work, toilets dating back to the 1960s, a driveway filled with pot holes, smashed glass, rotten window frames and chunks of concrete falling off the walls outside (not to mention the disintegrating roof), funding is needed vitally.

The CUB charity has been quoted £34,000 to fix the roof, £10,000 to update the fire alarms and £10,000 to replace the rotten windows. The roof needs fixing before the winter.

Yesterday (June 22) local MP Richard Foord visited CUB to meet with the trustees, manager and several of the groups which use the space.

The CUB building is located on School Lane (Nub News)

Honiton Nub News was also given a tour around the CUB by manager Clare Jones and trustee Mike Jones.

Clare said: "This could well be our last summer, which is just so sad. But we can't do another winter with this roof. It isn't safe."

Close to tears, Clare added: "It would be an unbearable shame if we had to close, because we are so well used. The town needs us.

"The community uses us day in and day out, 500 people a week. And yet here we are.

"Where is the money for us to host everyone? Where is the support?

"It is only our passion for the building which keeps it going, but we can't go on forever with so little money. It just is not sustainable."

Mike added: "It's so distressing, because we do so much to help the residents of Honiton - and the most vulnerable at that. We look after those most in need."

Richard being presented with a gift made by Ollie, Stella and Barry (Nub News)

500 users a week and growing 

Five-hundred Honiton residents use the CUB every single week across 12 different groups - and this number is increasing all the time.

All these groups would need to find a new home if the building closes, but most do not have enough money to rent a room in a more expensive location. Many of the groups could potentially be disbanded. 

Mr Foord was shown around the side of the building to the woods where a Wood Querkery group, including students Barry, Stella and Ollie, were busy making innovative creations under the guidance of Richard Devaney, a woodwork teacher.

As we left, he was presented with a small stall which the group had made him.

The MP also met Gary Wakeham from Open Arms East Devon, a mental health support group and the Roc College education team who support young adults with special educational plans.

Di Virgin has run the Honiton Toddler Group for thirty years. At just £1.50 per family, the group provides a low-cost and safe space for young families as well as sign-posting services for people who need extra support. She told Mr Foord: "If this building was not here, we would close. It is as simple as that. This group provides a vital service to young families in Honiton."

The 729 Club is a weekly social gathering for 120 adults with learning difficulties. This much-loved group is looked forward to by everyone who attends and it is often their only opportunity to socialise.

The group pays CUB just £27 for the venue and could not afford to hire another premises.

Louise, a volunteer with the group, said: "The adults who come here each week need this so much. 

"They feel safe here and it gives them confidence. We do a range of activities from movie nights to craft sessions, and they love it. We really need it to survive. I don't know what they would do without it."

Other groups who use CUB include Honiton Youth Club, the Repair Café, Paige's Pilates, Makaton Sign and Sign and the Youth Orchestra. 

The number of people who use the CUB is increasing constantly. This summer, for the first time, CUB will host local children who are eligible for free school meals and provide them with a meal and teach them cookery skills. Honiton Community College will also use their grounds for Rural Skills courses. 

After the tour, Richard said: "From the outside, you don't realise the number of groups and activities going on each day here, but the centre serves so many people in Honiton. 

"The need for significant repairs is obvious - quite clearly work needs to be done - and urgently.

"These sorts of buildings used to be well-funded, but unfortunately that is no longer the case. It is left to the community.

"The work everyone is doing with vulnerable people is so, so valuable and the staff, volunteers and trustees are clearly very kind-hearted. It is sad to see the building facing closure and I hope it doesn't come to that."

Mr Foord agreed to look at CUB's application to the levelling up scheme which provides grants to help protect local buildings and agreed to speak to the minister for levelling up, Michael Gove, to see if more can be done to help buildings such as the CUB. 

You can make a donation to the Raise the Roof fundraising initiative here.

Volunteers are also needed to help with maintenance, fundraising and general supportive tasks.