SHERBORNE’S MP has urged trustees of the town’s iconic almshouse to find ways to ‘sustain’ the institution.
The almshouse, which has provided low-cost accommodation for town residents for around 600 years, could face closure after bosses said the Covid pandemic had rendered the facility ‘unsustainable’.
Rising costs and a lack of interest in living at the almshouse, run by trustees from St John’s, have left the charity facing large deficits.
In response, the trustees are consulting over the future of the site, including closure.
Some 20 staff are also facing redundancy.
Now, West Dorset MP Chris Loder says he has met with the trustees.
“The trustees of St John’s Almshouse have had to consider the options available to them with the almshouse not being in a sustainable position,” he said.
“I have met with the trustees and asked them to find options to sustain the almshouse institution, which has been part of Sherborne since 1437.
“The problem the almshouse faces is that there are not many people wishing to reside there and it is leaving them in a position where significant losses cannot be sustained.
“I hope the trustees can find a solution and protect the enormous legacy that the almshouse gives to Sherborne, as I should not think it would be easy to be a trustee of a near 600-year-old institution that has to close.”
Residents say they have been left in little doubt the almshouse will close, despite the on-going consultation.
However, the trustees say no decision has been made as options are considered.
A final decision over the future of the facility is due to be made at the end of the month, or early in March, they said.
Most people are not aware of the facilities offered by the almshouse,hence the lack of clients. It is wrongly perceived of as “Elitist”.