'Much-loved' East Brighton service may be forced to close

Brighton Housing Trust (BHT), which runs the centre, has given notice to clients, Brighton and Hove City Council, partner organisations and other supporters that this 'much-loved and valuable' service may have to close at the end of March 2018.

Andy Winter, BHT chief executive, said: “The economic climate within which we operate is not getting any easier, and the charitable funding towards core costs that previously supported services such as the Whitehawk Inn is now almost impossible to secure.

“Since the Whitehawk Inn has been part of BHT, we have explored possible funding opportunities, but with limited success.

“A final decision is yet to be made. It is a decision that is not being taken lightly and is one that is the cause of distress to our board members, senior staff and, not least, our staff team and clients at the Whitehawk Inn.

“There will be an impact on the East Brighton community, and many people who tend not to access other services will be particularly affected. With the arrival of universal credit, the loss of our services, often run in partnership with others, will mean that some people will end up without the support, advice and guidance they might need.

“We are, of course, open to suggestions as to how a viable future can be secured for the service, to operate either within or external to BHT, and how the closure could be avoided. Please feel free to contact me [email protected] with any ideas or comments you may have.”