FRESH fears about the survival of The Hollies Community Hub in Musselburgh have been raised.

Manager Liz Shannon said that there was a “strong possibility” the much-loved High Street facility might close at the end of this year or start of 2023 unless financial support was forthcoming.

“Our aim is to be self-sufficient in the future; however, realistically, this will take a couple of years,” she said.

The hairdresser’s salon at The Hollies closed recently after 30 years’ service.

Ms Shannon said they could no longer afford to subsidise the facility, stressing: “We are still struggling to stay open financially.”

She said: “Cost-cutting is a way we hope we can remain open to the end of the year at least.

“A number of funding applications have been submitted and the possibility of sub-letting a couple of our rooms to generate more income is in the planning.”

Silent auction

Fundraising events have also been taking place in a bid to support The Hollies, after concern was raised earlier this year that the High Street hub, which has provided services for elderly people for 60 years, was at risk of imminent closure due to a funding crisis.

Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club is holding a silent auction and raffle to raise cash for the facility on Saturday, November 5.

The hub is also taking part in the East Lothian Community Lottery.

Ms Shannon said: “The community are fabulous supporters of The Hollies and we are truly grateful.”

A lifeline was thrown to The Hollies with an injection of £32,000 from the town’s Common Good Fund, which is administered by the the town’s four ward councillors.

In the run-up to the council elections in May, the application was handled in line with standing orders and approved political recess arrangements by council leader Norman Hampshire, depute leader Shamin Akhtar, provost John McMillan and depute provost Andy Forrest.

READ MORE: Hollies Community Hub given a £32,000 'lifeline' to save it from closure

The Hollies, a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), relies on funding from outside agencies to allow it to provide a service and applications to funders had been unsuccessful.

The hub is responsible for maintenance of the building, which is leased from East Lothian Council, and is “old and in need of some expensive repairs”.

A GoFundMe page was set up, which currently stands at more than £1,600, and a petition launched urging local people to get behind the campaign to save The Hollies Community Hub, which has a lunch club, runs a minibus for people who attend the lunch club and has a public cafe.

The petition will be presented to Monica Patterson, chief executive of East Lothian Council, and Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh.

Mr Beattie said: “I am saddened to hear that The Hollies is facing fresh financial challenges. They provide an invaluable service within our community and it is unthinkable that they should be faced with possible closure again due to a lack of funding.

“The Hollies should be supported and I call on all potential funders to step up and help secure the long-term future of this valuable community asset.”

'Alternative sources'

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Services at The Hollies are provided by a community hub, which is an independent organisation run by a management committee. Extensive support has been offered to the committee from council officers and our third sector partners to help them develop a sustainable business plan and access alternative sources of funding support.

“Financial support has been provided, most recently from the Musselburgh Common Good Fund in April.

“The council is restricted in the level of support it can provide to an independent concern and, of course, has many similar requests for financial support from other community groups across the county which have increased in recent times. This is why we have previously offered to help the group explore alternative sources which would increase their funding options.

“All tenants are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their buildings, including to ensure the building is wind and watertight, and this is made clear when a lease is signed.”

Go to gofundme.com/f/help-we-need-somebody-help to support The Hollies.