I wonder if East Lothian Council is determined to see the closure of our community centre? Short-notice closures now happen on a regular basis and the community, from young to old, are suffering.

A recent advertisement described the Port Seton Centre as being in the heart of the community. It is certainly in the hearts of the community and at one time was THE heart of our community. How sad that now the shutters are closed most nights of the week.

Our young people are now on holiday from school and have nowhere to go in the evenings, so they will gather outside and people will complain about them, and suddenly young people having fun with their friends will be labelled as causing anti-social behaviour.

Book clubs, Pilates classes, youth cafe and history clubs are just a few of the groups who have been unable to access the centre for activities which benefit both mental and physical wellbeing.

Local business owners who hire facilities at the centre are being forced elsewhere – sometimes outwith Cockenzie and Port Seton – as their income stream is being disrupted. This means many of us will be unable to attend due to transport issues.

Could it be that by forcing people to go elsewhere, there will be a case that the facility is not used enough to be viable? I hope not, but why have they let things get so bad?

Come on East Lothian Council, give us back the heart of our community.

Grace Hynd

Port Seton

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “We recognise that the Port Seton Centre is greatly valued in the community and by many groups who enjoy using the facilities the centre offers. Unfortunately the centre, like many other public services and businesses, has been experiencing particularly difficult staffing challenges in recent times. This has been due to a combination of Covid-related and other sickness and vacancies. That’s why the operation of some services/opening hours has at times been limited and we are having to make difficult decisions sometimes at short notice and impacting on our community facilities across the county. In recent weeks, though, we have advertised a number of vacancies, including for a new centre head at Port Seton Community Centre and for experienced youth workers which, when filled, will help restore a full range of activities for all centre users. We apologise for the inconvenience caused by these temporary arrangements.”