THE closure of a refugee centre will lead to an overload on social services, according to trustees of the charity.

Bromley Refugee Network (BRN), Maple Road, Penge, will close its doors on Friday after it failed to secure adequate funding to cover its annual running costs of £80,000.

The 14-year-old charity says it has no choice after several grants were not renewed, including annual funds from Bromley Council.

It has seen between 150 and 200 families in the past year and provides advice and services for refugees and asylum seekers.

Future plans included setting up an employment clinic and providing more services for children.

BRN chairman of trustees Philip Johnson said: "Three weeks ago we took the very difficult decision we would have to close.

"We have had a number of funding applications denied and the withdrawal of the council grant has really had an effect."

He added: "The final nail in the coffin was learning we had been turned down for a Big Lottery grant of £120,000.

"Without the BRN, a lot of people will have to go outside of the borough to access the support they need.

"In a lot of cases these people are very shy and timid.

"It takes a lot to build ties and the loss of BRN will undoubtedly be traumatic for some of them."

Bromley Council say the funding was part of a short-term arrangement made possible through the Home Office, which saw the BRN receive £30,000 annually since 1999, dropping to £20,000 this year.

The council says the responsibility to support asylum and refugee seekers now falls with the National Asylum Support Service.

But Mr Johnson says the BRN was not aware funding would be pulled.

He said: "We were surprised when funding was reduced and even more so when it was withdrawn the following year.

"As far as we understand it, the council has simply decided to reallocate funds to other avenues."

He added: "The council were enjoying hidden savings due to the intervention of BRN.

"But with the vaccum we will leave, these costs are going to be visible as people turn to social services."

Councillor Chris Phillips, portfolio holder for social care, health and housing, said: "We have provided advice about how it could sustain itself in the long term.

"It is regrettable a similar level of funding has not been forthcoming from another source."

GIVING SUPPORT

ZARRAH Ahmed-Kadi arrived in Bromley in 1994 after fleeing her war-torn homeland of Sierra Leone.

The mother-of-four was referred to BRN in 1999, which supported and encouraged her through education and into paid employment and she has since become a trustee for the charity.

Mrs Ahmed-Kadi said: "The closure of BRN is a very sad event and will be a big loss to the whole borough.

"All we can do now is signpost people to the Citizens Advice Bureau and social services.

"When people have problems understanding their council tax or bills we have been there to help them understand and make informed decisions. Social services just don't have the manpower and resources to do this."

The 59-year-old added: "My family have all been well integrated into the borough thanks to BRN and I am terribly sad to see it close."