Published: Thursday, 17th December, 2009 8:00am

Campaign launched to save The Look In cafe

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A CAMPAIGN has been launched to try to save the popular Look In cafe for the over-50s.

Cafe patrons are collecting signatures and News readers can also pledge their support by adding their names at this website www.bracknellnews.co.uk by clicking on the image in the top righthand corner of the screen.

Bracknell Forest councillors agreed on Tuesday night to put the proposed closure out for consultation until February as part of a range of measures designed to deal with a predicted £2.3million council overspend.

But customers of the cafe in Bracknell town centre say it is a vital service, and 66-year-old Hilary Smith, who travels in from Sandhurst for it, told the News: "It is a place for people to come if they have got any cares and worries. There is someone to talk to. It shouldn't be about making money."

Peter Robey, 82, from Martin's Heron, added: "It is a lovely meeting place."

Doreen Hallett, 75, from Sandhurst, added: "The staff are lovely. They are always helpful, always friendly."

The cafe was set up in 1995 and in addition to offering warmth and a hot meal to the elderly, several charities including Bracknell and District Alzheimer's Society, Age Concern and a carers group hold drop-in sessions there. Terry Pearce, chairman of Bracknell Senior Citizens Forum, said: "The Look In is more than just a coffee shop, it provides a social service for the older members of our community, we must not let it close."

The Forum is holding a public meeting to discuss the closure at Easthampstead Baptist Church in South Hill Road, on Wednesday, January 6 at 2pm.

Glyn Jones, director of adult social care and health at the council, said: "The council is looking at alternative possibilities, such as turning the Look In into a community facility, run by an outside organisation. The Look In is subsidised by the council and in these hard financial times, unfortunately tough decisions must be made. Public consultation, through the budget consultation, will decide its future. See www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk and click on 'Your Council' to find out more."

A council spokeswoman said the council would look to deploy the cafe's seven staff. The cafe costs £60,000 a year to run and closing it is one of many measures including 40 job cuts and reduced library and swimming pool hours proposed to deal with a budget gap as a result of the recession.

The council's chief executive Tim Wheadon said at the council's executive meeting on Tuesday: "2010/11 is going to be the most difficult budget year we have faced."

See Letters, page 12, in the News, available from today (Thursday December 17).