NEARLY 1,100 signatures are now on the online petition opposing the threatened closure of Tenby's much-loved Avenue Social Activity Centre.

And a paper petition in shops and businesses in Tenby and surrounding areas has gained hundreds of supporters in the past week.

Pembrokeshire County Council recently opened consultation on the future of the centre, which is used by 38 adults with learning disabilities.

Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas recently joined carers, family members and service users of the centre to call for further clarification on the county council’s position on the future of the centre.

He said: “This is obviously very worrying to all who surround The Avenue SAC.

“The day centre costs the council around £340,000, but if you ask any of the people who use the service, this is money well spent.

“Having recently visited, I can attest that there has been a lot of distress surrounding the council’s dealings of the matter, and the nature in which it has been considered for discussion. This includes referring to the service users as ‘customers’, which suggests that the Avenue Social Activity Centre is a business. This is highly misleading.

“The day centre provides a service to the community, which to its regular service users are highly valuable if not vital. The purpose of the centre is not to make money, but to provide daily social interactions and provide varying levels of care.

“Some of the service users travel from up to 17 miles to reach the Tenby centre, and to close it would bring in to doubt what provision would be provided in its place.”

*The online petition can be found on https://www.change.org/p/pembrokeshire-county-council-s-cabinet-save-tenby-avenue-centre-petition