A CHARITY has denied claims it will shut its Maldon centre by the end of the year.

The Standard reported earlier this month that volunteers at the British Red Cross centre, in Mill Road, had been told the charity wanted to have the building closed by Christmas.

The charity and Royal Voluntary Service (RVS), who both own the centre, insist no formal discussions on its future have taken place, but did not deny full closure of the centre being an option.

In a joint statement, they said: “St Mary’s Rectory in Maldon is co-owned by the British Red Cross and Royal Voluntary Service. Both organisations are reviewing the best use of this building but there have not yet been any formal discussions between us.

“The interests of those who use the building, and of the Red Cross and Royal Voluntary Service volunteers based there, are of paramount importance and both organisations will be taking their interests into account.”

The centre is used for the charity’s weekly first aid training sessions, along with sessions providing mobile aid such as wheelchairs and walking sticks to those who need them, plus lunch clubs for the elderly run twice a week by the RVS.

Volunteers had previously expressed dismay at the news, and claimed the charity had informed them of its decision earlier in the month.

The centre had about 18 volunteers working for the Red Cross, with other helpers for the RVS lunch clubs. Group volunteer leader Ian Davey had said that after the news was shared, many considered walking away entirely from the charity because they “did not want to be trodden on”.

A meeting between the Red Cross and its Maldon volunteers is due to be held on August 6 to discuss the centre’s future.