AN ANDOVER charity, known for its vital community services, has been allowed to stay in the Chantry Centre for four more months following a public outcry.
Andover Community Engage (ACE), which has been operating from the Chantry Centre since June, provides essential services such as the Holiday Youth Drop-in, the Emergency Referral Service, the Community Fridge, the Clothing and Baby Bank, and several social isolation community groups.
The charity had to relocate to the Chantry Centre after its previous location on Andover High Street became unstable due to vandalism and heavy rain damage.
Initially, ACE had applied for a six-month pop-up licence at the Chantry Centre until its permanent facility became available.
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However, Test Valley Borough Council granted it only a six-week licence for a space free of charge.
In August, ACE requested an extension of the licence, but it was extended for only four weeks, forcing the charity to make plans to vacate its unit by Friday, October 6.
The decision by the borough council not to renew ACE's licence was met with strong opposition from members of the public.
The council has now decided to extend the licence until the end of January, allowing ACE to remain at the Chantry Centre for four more months.
ACE is planning to move to 13-17 Bridge Street when it leaves the Chantry Centre.
The tide began to turn when ACE launched an online petition, which garnered support from hundreds of people, and contacted various borough councillors.
Maria Tierney, an ACE trustee, thanked councillors Carl Borg-Neal, Luigi Gregori and Alan Dowden for supporting the charity in getting an extension.
The council said it has communicated with the charity that it can stay in the unit until the end of January.
Ms Tierney had said in an online petition that the charity found itself in a dire situation.
She wrote: "Shockingly, despite our impeccable compliance with the agreement, a significant increase in foot traffic within the Chantry Centre, and our status as an essential service, we have been informed that our license will NOT be renewed.
"The original reason given was the need for the Grotto space, but we have pointed out that there are numerous vacant units that have previously accommodated the Grotto, including one directly across from the Chantry Garden, which is ideal for this purpose. Astonishingly, we have now been told that 'The council is entitled to manage the centre as it thinks appropriate'.
"We implore you to rise up, raise your voices, and make your presence felt. We need your signatures, your unwavering support, and your unmatched ability to spread our plea far and wide."
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A council spokesperson said: “Test Valley Borough Council has supported ACE in various ways over the last couple of years, including two Councillor Community Grants worth more than £2,400 and Cost of Living Grants totalling over £1,800.
“When asked to support ACE with a suitable location for activities over the summer, the council granted a licence free of charge for a unit in the Chantry Centre for the six-week period, as requested. A six-month extension to that licence was requested in late August this year, however, due to arrangements for wider community events in that unit, including Christmas market stalls, ACE was advised that a six-month extension for the wider range of activities they now wished to provide would not be possible, however, a maximum of four weeks extension could be.
“However, after hearing from ACE that they have now secured a permanent residence from January onwards, we have communicated with them that they can stay in the unit until the end of January, amending our previous plans.”
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