Southend's Ironworks sisters praised after closure announced

Residents who have used the High Street community centre over the last two years have heaped praise on Natalie and Ami Solomons after it was announced the centre would close on Sunday.

Over the last ten months the sisters have worked night and day to bridge a massive £16,000 funding gap with Natalie using her own savings to top up the up the shortfall in wages caused by the venues financial difficulties.

Despite the blow of the centre closing in its current home, the sisters remain confident an alternative location - with cheaper overheads - can be found and open in September.

Events - kids poses for picture (Image: Natalie Solomons)

Ironworks member and frequent supporter, Simon Cross, has praised the sisters for their efforts in keeping the venue alive and hopes the relocation will be close to the High Street.

He said: “The financial burden of the building was a massive consideration for Natalie and Ami, who have worked day and night tirelessly to keep the dream alive.

“They need to reopen in a smaller, suitable premises as soon as possible with the support of people who haven’t supported them as much in the past, people should do whatever it takes to keep the name and ethos of the Ironworks alive.

“If they did leave, it would show that those in charge have no interest in bringing vitalit to the high street on a long term basis, something good happened and is lost.

“We need to make sure that the 50 to 60 groups using it monthly have a homeand that is why in the case of any battle, you have to fall back and bounce forward.

“We should be optimistic, this is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Claire Buckland, who runs the Forget me Not day centre activities at the Ironworks, added: “It is a massive blow, it is quite disappointing.

“We have been paying weekly to put a performance on every Friday and to do Grease rehearsals with other day centres.

“We cannot do the performance now and we think they need to fund somewhere near, we hope they do.”