SUPPORTERS of a popular community café under threat of closure have criticised a council for “delaying” their attempts to secure a new home for the charity.

Last October, the Cubby was given 12 months’ notice to quit land on Greenwell Road, Newton Aycliffe, to allow the site to be sold for retail development.

Up until March this year, Great Aycliffe Old People’s Welfare Committee, the charity which runs the café, was confident a new home would be found with help from the landowners, Durham County Council.

However, committee chairman Councillor Bill Blenkinsopp has now accused the authority of prolonging the process and leaving Cubby customers and hardworking volunteers in a state of limbo.

Cllr Blenkinsopp said a site further along Greenwell Road, next to Homeplan DIY, had been identified during recent talks with the authority, with the charity instructed to put forward a business plan and planning application.

“It has taken them eight months to come up with a site we suggested in the first place,” he said. “Now the year is almost up and there is no certainty we will even get this site.

“I’ve been looking at portable cabins but I can’t buy one until we get permission because I could end up with one and nowhere for it to go. It feels like a catch 22 situation.

“It is all about money. They are taking more and more away from Newton Aycliffe and giving nothing back.”

The Cubby has operated out of a portable cabin on land between Tesco supermarket and the town centre for 37 years.

It is a much-loved drop-in, serving affordable meals and refreshments to about 200 people each week, as well as offering work experience to young adults and job seekers

Cllr Blenkinsopp said the committee would appeal against the notice to vacate the site if another location could not be found, adding: “A lot of people rely on the Cubby.”

Stuart Timmiss, head of planning and assets at Durham County Council, said: “We have been in discussions with the Cubby over a number of months and we are continuing to assist them to try to find an appropriate new location.

“Unfortunately we have not been successful in finding a building that meets their criteria however continue to support them in looking at other options.”