Campaigners launch drive to save Dales community centre

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) has announced in its draft budget that it could pull the plug on funding for Hudson House in Reeth to cope with a projected £1m shortfall in Government money.

The building, a former bank, has housed a Tourist Information Centre and community office for Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, since 2003 and is seen as a vital facility in a honeypot village for tourism in the Dales.

Now residents are being urged to register their protest at the proposed closure before the final budget is published is released next month.

Coun John Blackie, a former director of the centre, said: “This is an almost unbelievable decision and frankly nothing less than a dereliction of the NYPDA’s duty to engage with local communities throughout the Yorkshire Dales.”

He added: “Hudson House is a flagship community enterprise initiative, and a beacon for deeply rural communities throughout the country.

“The various services it offers are of vast importance to local people, businesses and visitors to Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, and are considered invaluable in the area.”

Julie Barker, the sustainable tourism manager for the NYDPA, said the proposed decision to stop funding from 2013 was currently out for public consultation until March 13.