"NSPCC fundraisers angered by decision to close Coventry centre"

Boole House in Whitefriars Street was opened 25 years ago by Princess Margaret



A fundraising body which has raised more than £3 million for the NSPCC says it is angered by the charity’s decision to close its Boole House service centre in Coventry.

The charity has announced plans to close 10 of its service centres in the UK, including Boole House in Whitefriars Street, which offers treatment and therapy for young people who have been victims of child abuse.

The decision forms part of the charity’s Ten Year Plan and it is understood it will result in a saving of £8m.

The NSPCC says all regional activity will be coordinated by a hub in Nottingham.

This will include a named point of contact for every school in the area, specialist direct services, campaigns and local partnerships.

However, the NSPCC Coventry and Warwickshire Business Board, which was instrumental in the establishment of Boole House and has raised millions to help fund it, says it is angry and disappointed by the move.

The board is calling for a delay to closing Boole House, which is leased through Coventry City Council to the NSPCC on a 125-year lease at a peppercorn rent.

Boole House was opened 25 years ago by Princess Margaret after the original local fundraising group, the Coventry Kids Committee, raised more than £450,000 to build the children’s service centre.

It is understood staff at Boole House were told about the closure today (Wednesday, August 11).

An NSPCC spokesman said: “Our mission is to prevent child abuse and we’re making changes to the way we run some of our local services to help us reach even more communities in Coventry and Warwickshire.

“Alongside Childline, which is here for all children in the area, and our helpline, which is here for adults with concerns about a child, a hub in Nottingham will coordinate all of our regional activity. This will include a named point of contact for every school in the area, our specialist direct services, campaigns and local partnerships.

“But our face-to-face work with children from our base in Coventry is coming to an end and sadly a number of roles will be made redundant in the months ahead.

“We’re doing everything we can to support staff members affected, including training and suitable alternative employment where possible.”

The old NSPCC building will be transformed into new student accommodation

An old NSPCC centre in Coventry where staff supported children and their families will now be turned into student flats.

Boole House on Whitefriars Street will provide accommodation for 27 students after plans got the green light from Coventry City Council.

It comes two years after the NSPCC closed the centre along with 9 others in the UK. The charity sold the building's leasehold for £732,000 at auction last December.

Under plans approved last week, developers will turn the one-storey building into 21 student flats including six 2-bed rooms.

The scheme includes filling in an archway that allowed cars access, and using other outside space as a courtyard.

The building is next door to popular pubs the Phoenix and the Oak Inn and a 1.5 metre 'acoustic fence' will be built to protect students from the noise.

It was noted in a council planning report that West Midlands Police had concerns about the scheme due to the area's crime rate.

But the officer judged this alone wouldn't be a reason to say no to the plans - and said measures like making the building gated and putting in lighting will manage the fear and risk of crime.

Boole House was built for the NSPCC in the mid-1990s after a local fundraising group raised over £450,000 for the project.

developers will turn the one-storey building into 21 student flats

ONE storey?