Damp spreading from Lonsdale could kill off homeless charity

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Damp spreading from Lonsdale could kill off homeless charity

Cumberland News - Carlisle,England,UK*

by Raimes

Friday, 29 August 2008

http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk/news/1.230702

A CENTRE helping thousands of homeless youths is under threat of

closure because of damp from the disused Lonsdale Cinema next door.

Danger: The damp at Community Projects Carlisle is a health

hazardCommunity Projects Carlisle, a drop-in advice centre alongside

the cinema in Warwick Road, has so much damp and fungal growth on

its walls that it has been ordered to close parts of the business by

Environmental Health.

An office and the upstairs hallway have been closed, but now rot is

spreading to the downstairs hallway.

Its closure would leave many struggling youths without the vital

shelter, debt and benefit advice they need.

Carole Rutherford, chairman of the charity, said: " We helped around

2,500 people between the ages of 16 and 25 last year, so if we

closed a lot of people would be in big trouble. But we may have no

choice.

" Over the last couple of years the mould has spread so quickly we

can hardly keep up with it. There are mushroom-like growths all over

the walls and the walls are covered with damp. Now cracks are also

starting to form in the ceiling. "

Crosbie, a project manager who has been forced to move out of

her office, added: " We are having to move electrical equipment to

prevent it coming in contact with the damp. There could be a serious

accident if water gets into it. Environmental Health say we are a

hazard. "

The damp, which has so far only formed on the side the business

shares with the Lonsdale, is also affecting a hairdressers below.

Atelier has just started to get damp and mould in its basement.

Community Projects has appealed to Carlisle City Council to take

action as Empera Estates, owner of the Lonsdale, has not returned

their calls.

A city council spokesperson said: " As this is a listed building,

Carlisle City Council is concerned about the water damage in the

Lonsdale building and we have been in contact with the owners

requesting that they take action to carry out the repairs needed to

make the building water and wind tight.

" We will continue to negotiate with the owners and will be

monitoring the situation to make sure that both the Lonsdale

building and its immediate properties are not badly affected and

occupants can continue to stay in their building. "

Empera Estates was unavailable for comment.

The Lonsdale cinema was built in 1931 and closed two years ago. It

was bought by Empera Estates, which hoped to demolish the building

to create a block of flats, but the cinema's Grade II listed status

prevented their plan.

In July it was reported that the building may lose its listed

status, which would pave the way for demolition.