A DAY centre is set to close its doors for the final time.

Trustees at Chancery House Day Centre in Bridport have announced this morning that the service will close on March 29.

Chancery House has been serving the elderly community of Bridport and West Dorset since 1963 and is run as a self-funded, independent charity.

Falling numbers of clients, rising costs and a reducing income are the reasons for the closure.

In a statement this morning, trustees said: "Clients have always been able to relax, socialise, be stimulated, be entertained, have a decent meal, visit the resident hairdresser or enjoy an assisted bath at the Centre. Even transport was provided for those that needed it. In more recent years the Centre has had to concentrate more on providing care for those suffering with various forms of dementia.

"In the current circumstances the Trustees felt there was no other option available but to close.

"The decision was made with enormous sadness and much concern for the remaining clients and the eight extremely loyal members of staff that will be made redundant.

"It had been hoped to sell the Chancery House property in Chancery Lane and use the proceeds to re-locate to a suitable alternative (leased) building nearby. Unfortunately, that plan had to be shelved.

"When the land was sold to Chancery House in 1996, the vendor included a restrictive covenant and that is currently preventing the marketing and sale of the building. 

"Chancery House has provided a unique service to the community for decades and will be missed by many.

"The Trustees would like to thank everyone in and around Bridport including Bridport Town Council, WDDC Car Boot Fund and the many, many other individuals and organisations – too many to mention here - that have supported Chancery House."