OPPOSITION councillors have slammed Dudley Council over plans to close the café at Stourbridge’s Crystal Leisure Centre.

The council said the authority has been subsiding the running costs of the cafe for many years but that’s no longer viable due to financial pressures.

Labour councillors on the authority’s Future Council Scrutiny Committee, however, called in the decision for examination after it was made on December 22.

Councillor Parmjit Sahota, shadow cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said he was disappointed that, despite many reasons raised at the scrutiny meeting on January to delay the decision to enable proper consideration including public consultation and market testing, that the majority of Conservatives on the committee voted to recommend to the cabinet member that the decision should stand.

Cllr Sahota said: ‘’In making this decision the council has acted without due process. First, it has failed to act with sufficient urgency while the café has been making a loss, then it has failed to consult with customers of the centre about what they want and then it has failed to explore other options, including testing the market for other providers.

“We are now concerned for the viability of cafes at other centres and, if this is the thin end of the wedge, the future viability of all leisure centres is at risk.

“I will be calling for an urgent meeting with the director of regeneration to discuss this in detail.”

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Councillor David Stanley, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, described the cafe as “very much underused and unable to sustain itself”.

Wollaston and Stourbridge town councillor Cat Eccles, however, said: “The Crystal Café has been abandoned by the Conservatives on Dudley Council.

“When they moved it upstairs, parents were able to use it while watching their children in the pool. However, it was never promoted well to centre users in its new location.”

‘’The cabinet member says people can use other outlets in the town but when parking is for a maximum of two hours, there just isn’t time to hot foot it elsewhere.”

The council says it has met with catering staff and is looking at possible redeployment opportunities.

Vending machines serving hot drinks and snacks will still be available in the café area, which will remain open as a seating and viewing area for customers.

People can also continue to hire the space, which overlooks the leisure pool, for parties and bring their own food.

The café will close on Friday March 31.