A derelict community centre in Swindon is set to be demolished. 

News first broke of the possibility of the Nythe Community Centre being knocked down last month when parents were emailed to say they would need to arrange childcare for May 2 because the nursery was being used for polling. 

The polling is usually done in the adjacent community centre building, but parents were informed that the centre was being demolished in April. 

This follows an unsuccessful attempt from Nythe, Eldene and Liden Parish Council to save it, with the local authority putting in a bid for a grant to refurbish it, but that application was removed and no longer available to apply for. 

Swindon Borough Council has now confirmed that the centre will be going because it has reached the end of its life. 

Councillor Jim Grant, cabinet member for communities and Joint working, said: "Unfortunately the community centre, and the building on the adjoining site, have reached the end of their life and are no longer suitable for use.

“Therefore we’ve taken the decision to demolish the building and re-evaluate what the combined site can be used for.

“We appreciate there is a demand for a community space in the area and will ensure this is looked into as part of the evaluation.”

Councillor Kevin Parry, who is also chair of Nythe Eldene and Liden Parish Council chair, said: "As you will be aware the borough councillors and the parish council have been trying to save the community centre.

The parish council put a bid in for the money to cover the rebuild cost. We were informed that this bid was on pause.

"Any decisions to remove the building and stop the parish council from taking the building is down to the borough council cabinet."

Cllr Parry confirmed that an application had been made for a community grant for Nythe Community Centre.

"We need to show as much evidence as we can for the need for the facility. Therefore, if you think you would want to run a group or hire the Community Centre if we were successful, please can you email the clerk," he said. 

The centre closed in early 2021 after the current trustees at the time decided to step down due to old age. 

Later that year five new people had come forward to be trustees for the community centre, but its condition meant that it couldn't be reopened without construction work.