Musselburgh: Hollies to close permanently in two weeks

Staff received the news at an emergency meeting yesterday evening that, due to ongoing funding issues, all staff would be made redundant and the centre would close on November 2.

The Hollies has been operating in Musselburgh for more than half a century, tackling social isolation and loneliness for those over 60 years old.

First founded in 1962, the Hollies moved to its current location on High Street in the 1970s, taking over a former doctors' after the building was gifted to the council prior to the local authority moving services to the newly built Brunton Hall.

The centre has faced financial shortages for several years, relying on fundraisers and sponsors to keep operating.

Liz Shannon, manager at the Hollies, told the Courier of her devastation that a vital service in Musselburgh would close its doors for good.

She said: "We've been running on empty for years.

"The decision by [East Lothian] Health and Social Care Partnership to turn us into a day hospital and move out of this building... we got no more funding from East Lothian Council from early 2018.

"It was only a quarter of what it took to run here. So we have really struggled. We were waiting on a Common Good Fund grant; they had it in the paper to say they had an underspend and the next day we got a rejection, which was the final blow.

"The people in here are going to be absolutely devastated, the staff have just been told this morning. There is no reprieve.

"The council want us out of here, they want this land.

"All the lovely comments and all the poor people that come here, we're going to have a fortnight of heartbreak all round."

The centre has provided a vital outlet for the people of Musselburgh for many years, offering a cafe and lunch club among other services, including bus transport, that have improved the quality of life for the most vulnerable in the community.

Ms Shannon, who has worked at the Hollies for 12 years, shared her concerns about what losing the centre would do for those who need it on a day-to-day basis.

She said: "It's devastating to the older community, absolutely devastating.

"It's far more than a day centre, Covid changed a lot of that. It's a safe environment, especially for the elderly, they know they've got a blether, even with the staff.

"It will be devastating. There's going to be a lot of people who won't come out because they can't. And there's going to be a lot of people that won't come out because there's nowhere to go to.

"At other cafes in the town, they wouldn't feel welcome. It's a family atmosphere."

She added that there was also an added toll on the staff who have been working hard for many years for older people in Musselburgh.

She said: "Their heart and soul is in it. Some of them are quite new but they are so well known and they know the customers' names. It's far more than just a cafe."

The centre will officially close on Thursday, November 2, barring any serious financial help from sponsors.

Ms Shannon admitted that hopes of the centre staying open were slim, but pleaded for any sponsors to come forward and help save the Hollies before the "irreplaceable" service disappeared forever.

She said: "They've heard for years saying we're skint. We are and we have been. We need sponsors and we need a massive cash injection to get us on our feet.

"It's been such a lifesaver for many, many people for many, many years, it's irreplaceable.

"It cannot be moved from here either, this building is the Hollies."

A spokesperson for the East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership (ELHSCP) added: "ELHSCP are sorry to hear The Hollies will be closing on November 2. 

"ELHSCP continues to fund a successful ‘Meeting Centre’ in Musselburgh which offers tailored support for people with mild to moderate dementia, their carers and families.   

"Furthermore, ELHSCP is currently seeking applications to deliver a new older people day service in Musselburgh which will provide a blended model of high quality centre based and outreach community support for older adults with complex needs, regulated by the Care Inspectorate."