The Waveney Centre, on New Market in Beccles, shut after Access Community Trust ceased trading on Wednesday.

More than 90 staff at the Lowestoft-based charity were told they were being made redundant on their pay day as the trust's support services across Suffolk and Norfolk were closed.

It comes after management at the charity had previously dismissed earlier concerns that the Waveney Centre was closing and said moves had been taken to preserve the future of the community hub just last month.

The Waveney Centre, New Market, Beccles has closed (Image: Google Maps)

Mayor of Beccles and town councillor, Barry Darch, said: "Town councillors will be considering the current situation at the first opportunity in the next few days.

"In the meantime I shall be meeting representatives of key stakeholders, particularly the Beccles Townlands Charity and East Suffolk Council, to ensure that we have an accurate understanding of the legal position of the building and to discuss what we may be able to do by working with the people of Beccles to retain an important asset and enable it to function effectively for the benefit of the community."

Former committee member handing over the keys to the centre to Emma Ratzer, former Access Community Trust CEO (Image: Submitted)

A user of the centre, who doesn't want to be named, said: "They never told anyone, it was all very underhanded and we can't let that building go.

"I've been going there for 10 years and it's the people, the community, we all got along.

"I now haven't been out for months because there's hardly anywhere to go, we need somewhere to meet and socialise."

Last month the vital community hub paused its daily café and weekday walk-in refreshments service and now locals are "broken-hearted" over its closure.

Access Community Trust took over the management of the centre in April 2024.

The closure of a range of services prompted emergency measures to be put in place as East Suffolk Council worked to find accommodation for 87 people.

© Eastern Daily Press