A COMMUNITY has been left devastated following a decision to close the St Benedicts Social Club in Batchley.
The move, taken by the Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham which oversees it, follows a feasibility study into its future and comes after months of speculation.
However with more than 250 members and a popular spot for local clubs and groups, including the special needs group It’s A Sign – winners of Redditch Has Talent – it’s closure will rip a hole in the local community.
“It’s very disappointing – we were told last week it was closing but no one has bothered to speak to me about it and that’s not good enough,” said Lorraine Hidderley, who leads It’s A Sign.
“We’ve been at St Benedict’s for three years and we don’t want to move. It’s a fantastic place with fantastic people,” she said.
“The thing is the Catholic Church is wonderful with the special needs community – for instance every month Father Bob (Wright) comes over from Coventry and puts on a disco with food. What’s going to happen there?”
Her colleague at It’s A Sign, Glenn Faeroy, who works as a signer and arranger with the group added: “It’s devastating news.
From a personal point of view I look forward every week to going to St Benedict’s.
“As a community, people are moved when they see what we do, and that builds bonds between our world and the deaf world – it’s also the social life of our members.”
One insider, who didn’t want to be named, told the Standard club members had themselves installed a new bar at the club at a cost of £5,000.
“It’s absolutely disgusting. They’ve had this feasibility study done but some of its findings are way off the mark,” he said.
“This is devastating for the community.”
It is understood there are covenants on the land and it is unknown what will happen with the site, on Rowan Road.
A spokesperson for the Archdiocese said: “It is with regret I announce the closure of St Benedict’s Social Centre in Redditch, which will open for the last time on Sunday, October 7.
“A feasibility study commissioned by the Archdiocese of Birmingham has concluded the club is unable to meet ongoing financial commitments and is therefore not financially viable.
“It is always sad to lose something like this and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have supported the centre, and to those who have worked there over the years.”
