YMCA to shut the door on Wirral centre after 112 years

Sep 28 2011 by Liam Murphy, Wallasey News

WALLASEY YMCA is closing its doors after more than a century of providing help to vulnerable people.

The organisation has blamed lack of funding and staff for the decision.

Josephine McCourt, chief executive of Wallasey YMCA, said it is “with great sadness and regret that I confirm that the Board of Trustees has taken the decision to close Wallasey YMCA from Friday 30 September”.

She said: “Following significant cuts to local authority funding over a number of years, and as a number of projects have also come to an end in 2011, the YMCA underwent an assessment of how to continue services for the benefit of the community.

“Due to lack of funding and limited staff, it was decided that the YMCA was no longer able to continue its work in Wallasey. We would like to thank everyone in the community for their commitment and support over the last 112 years.”

The centre on Manor Road was built in 1848 and was taken over by the YMCA in 1899.

Local councillor James Keeley said: “The volunteers at the YMCA have done a cracking job over many years to support young people in our community and I'm really sad to see it closing.”