Kingston Council has announced a review of services at a care home and community centre in Kingston - sparking fears elderly residents and regulars may be booted out.

Murray House, in Acre Road, is currently home to 38 people, some with dementia, and some who were moved there last year when the council closed Newent House in Surbiton.

It has also been the base of the Milaap Centre, a multicultural club for older people from ethnic backgrounds, for the past 10 years.

Kingston Chinese Association and the Iraqi Women's Association also meet at Murray House.

Kingston Council admitted it s expected to review future options for the site - although there are currently no plans to move anyone out.

But Prabha Shetty, who helps manage the Milaap Centre, said: "I would love to know what they want to do with Murray House. We are not going without a fight.

"If we have to move again that will be incredibly difficult for us.

"Our funding goes to March next year, after that we will have to look for something."

The Milaap Centre receives £1,000 from the council yearly, the rest is made from fundraising.

Mrs Shetty said Milaap members had further been dismayed when they were told their service may also have to be commissioned in the future - with a number of service providers able to put bids in.

She said: "How would anybody else know about our elderly? We have struggled for 25 years because we think we have a worthwhile service.

"This is the only such community centre in our borough or surrounding areas and they are saying 'let's go and commission it all'. It's disappointing."

John Azah, Kingston Race and Equalities Council director, said: "What we have said is 'if you are going to make a decision then we want to be part of that consultation process'. We need to be part of that decision."

He added it would be more beneficial to retain the space rather than sell it to the private sector.

A Kingston Council spokeswoman said: "There are no current plans to move the Milaap Centre out of Murray House.

"Milaap are aware that the council will need to review the future options for Murray House. Any review of Murray House will factor in the individuals and organisations using the facility, including Milaap."

Councillor Ian George, lead member for housing, said: “It is a site that is run down – it does need assessment.

"We are looking at the future of care in Kingston in the coming years so we can plan ahead for future needs. But there has not been any decision made.

“Whether we spend a lot of money on it or change what goes in that’s something to think about."

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