"Lifeline Hillfields community centre to close its doors after funds dry up"

St Peter's Centre will cease trading on July 31



A popular community centre in Coventry is to close.

St Peter's Centre in Hillfields is a well-used and well-loved community space in the heart of the city.

Open in 2001, St Peter's has been a revolving door for community groups and people in need ever since - but that will all end very soon.

The centre, which has been described as an extension of people's homes, is home to 50 community groups.

It is also a place where people have been able to hire affordable rooms for celebrations such as christenings and weddings.

The centre is run by a separate charity that leases the building from the Church of England.

However, the lease was terminated by the church after it was announced the charity were no longer able to run the centre.

The centre will remain in the hands of the Church of England, and is attached to St Peter's church, who will continue their Sunday services.

But it has not been confirmed what provision will be made to accommodate the community groups who use the centre itself.

The centre is a valuable community asset, and has been at the forefront of much change and action that has taken place in the city.

It has been home to groups such as narcotics anonymous, UHCW's COPD support group, KAIROS, which works with women at risk of sexual exploitation, and Asian Association For The Blind.

It has hosted Windrush meetings, and held support groups for asylum seekers and refugees.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby hailed St Peter's Centre on its achievements in a visit to Coventry in 2018, particularly on its ability to meet the needs of the city's diverse population.

Their open door policy was hugely valuable for people in the area, who would drop in for help with anything from computer support to housing issues.

CoventryLive understands that the paid members of staff, who were employed by the charity that leased the building from the Church of England, have already been made, or will face redundancy.