The Silo Central youth club, which opened in 2000 looks set to close following a shock announcement made by the Silo Management Committee Chair at a meeting of Selattyn and Gobowen Parish Council last Wednesday, June 11.

At the public meeting, Gwyneth Cliffe, Silo Central Management Committee Chair stunned councillors with the announcement that the centre will close due to financial difficulties, and left the pavillion without giving any more details or answering any questions.

Parish Councillor and Oswestry Borough Council Leader David G. Lloyd said he was "staggered" by the revelation last week.

Cllr Lloyd said: "We expected Gwyneth to tell us something about what was happening at Silo, and then she just said it was closing and left.

"When it opened, Silo was given all sorts of marvellous grants and what have you, but those have dried up now, making the running of the business very difficult.

"As a parish council we have always put money into Silo.
Speechless

"We were quite staggered, almost speechless that someone who had been such an ardent supporter of Silo would just announce that it was closing.

"It sounded as though it is to close immediately, but I am yet to find out any more details."

UPDATE: Chair of the Silo Central Management Committee, Gwyneth Cliffe, today released this statement:

"Silo Trusttee members held an emergency meeting to decide the fate of Silo on Tuesday 17 June.

"Most of the Trustees of Silo have worked to provide a youth service in Gobowen for at least 15 years and i have been Chairperson for 10 years.

"We have raised approximately half a million pounds that has gone throught the books at Silo to provide salaries for in excess of 45 members of staff in 8 years in the present building.

"There are issues with building maintenance,insurance etc and all the 'on costs' aswell as providing salaries for all those employees.

"I was heartened to receive several phone calls of support for our input at Silo and to say how sorry they were to see the centre closing.

" I have received an apology from members of the Parish Council for the misunderstanding and at this moment in time Silo Trustees would like to look more positively forward in working with the Parish Council to provide an ongoing youth facility in the village.

"The doors of Silo Central have closed but the doors of the Pavilion are opening."

Have you ever been involved with the Silo Centre? Will you be sad to see it go? Share your thoughts, email mark.hooson@nwn.co.uk or leave your comments below