A COMMUNITY centre is on the lookout for new management following the mass resignation of former members.

Just a week before Christmas, all trustees and members of the management committee of Toothill Community Centre handed Swindon Borough Council their resignation.

It followed a breakdown in relations between the committee and those tasked with renovating the community centre.

In 2010, the area received £1m from The Big Lottery to fund a community project.

A group known as the Toothill Big Local was tasked with overseeing the distribution of the cash.

TBL launched a consultation last year to find out what residents wanted the money to be spent on and a refurbished community centre came out on top.

But following the mass resignation of the committee, the council is now seeking new members.

Councillor Mary Martin, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for communities and place, said: “Toothill Community Centre plays an important role in the lives of so many local people and we want to see that continue.

“I would like to thank the previous trustees for their hard work. We are keen to hear from any local groups who would like to take on the premises and continue to make a difference to the community.”

The centre has been described as having been “a hub for local people for more than 30 years” and the council is keen to see the venue continue to provide a facilities for local residents and businesses.

A number of groups currently use the centre, which is a popular spot for children’s parties, family events, meetings and is adjacent to a large free car park.

The council will be supporting the trustees to relinquish their positions over the coming days and, as a result, it is possible the community centre may need to close for a short period of time.

In their resignation statement, the former trustees said: “This decision was not taken lightly but was due to the lack of support from the West Swindon Parish Council and the refusal of TBL to come to the table to bring forward the refurbishment of the centre.”

The council is also proposing to immediately invite interest from any other local groups who might consider running Toothill Community Centre and will be holding a bidding process over the forthcoming weeks.

Any groups interested in finding out more should contact the council’s Property Assets team on property@swindon.gov.uk.