PROTESTERS have lost their fight to keep an activity centre for the disabled open. The Queen Elizabeth Foundation Resource Centre, Brent Way, Dartford, will close tomorrow.

Kent County Council (KCC) funded the centre, which catered for 180 people with physical disabilities.

The council is now selling the building and providing alternative services in Gravesend, Dartford and Swanley for those who used the centre.

These include the Riverside Centre in Gravesend; the Discovery Centre at Swan Valley Community School in Swanscombe and the Swanley Youth and Community Centre.

Members of the centre have been campaigning against its closure since August last year.

One member is 42-year-old Sonia Mallion, of Oliver Road, Swanley.

She said: “We started campaigning because we believed the council had not got proper provision of service in place before the closure.

“For a long time it wasn’t clear what services the council would be replacing the centre with. Now it has become clear but we’ll wait and see if they’re any good.”

Members previously protested against the closure by presenting a petition to KCC.

They also held two protests outside County Hall in Maidstone and a 48-hour protest outside the centre.

The group is now disbanding and Miss Mallion says there is nothing more they can do.

Maureen Wenban, of Kings Drive, Gravesend, has been using the centre for seven years.

The 59-year-old said: “It was so handy having everything under one roof.

“Now we have to commute to different place to access different facilities, which is difficult when you are in a wheelchair, and public transport can be expensive.”

The closure is part of a planned restructuring of service provision for disabled people by KCC’s adult services.

A KCC spokesman said: “Now, day opportunities will be available nearer home for many more people, offering them a better chance to take part in activities and get more involved in their community.

“The buildings to be used will all meet government standards for accessibility.”