A LANDMARK community venue faces an uncertain future after its council landlord said the site needs to be cleared to make way for shops.

Durham County Council has given the charity that runs The Cubby, in Newton Aycliffe, 12 months to move out so the site can be marketed as part of the ongoing town centre regeneration.

Trustees of Great Aycliffe Old People’s Welfare Committee were devastated to be given formal notice to quit the site, on the corner of Central Avenue and Greenwell Road, after 37 years.

Treasurer David Lewis said: “It came out of the blue, it was a shock.

“There have been noises about this over the last ten years but nothing at all in the last three years and certainly no formal discussions.

“The Cubby is a much loved drop-in, important to the town and about 200 people call in every week.

“It provides a social outlet for visitors and volunteers and provides hot meals and refreshments for all ages, especially older people.”

The council said redevelopment of The Cubby site could improve links between the main town centre, Aldi supermarket and the area around Tesco and that it has received ‘a number of meaningful expressions of interest in developing this site’.

Writing to the trustees, Stuart Timmiss, head of planning and assets, said: “We have not made this decision lightly, however the opportunity to bring more jobs and improve the selection of retail outlets has always been an objective of the regeneration scheme.

“We hope that giving your organisation 12months notice will enable users of the Cubby to find suitable alternative accommodation and we will of course wish to provide assistance in achieving this aim.”

The trustees will seek legal advice but admit that if there is no choice but to leave it will be difficult to start up again in a new location.

Mr Lewis said: “Ideally it continue in the same spot, we need to know if we have a case to stay.

“If not I imagine it will be difficult to find a site near the town centre and that after all these years the portable building is not that portable anymore.”

The Cubby has been a base for ‘Honest’ John Hilton to sell second hand items in aid of local causes since the town’s weekly market closed in May.