Fears over location of new care centre for sex workers, drug users and the homeless

UNHAPPY residents have voiced their concerns about the location of a new healthcare centre for sex workers, drug users and the homeless.

As reported, planning permission was granted for the former Strand Infant School in Albion Street, Grimsby, to be turned into a community healthcare facility, incorporating a new Open Door centre.

CONTROVERSY: The former Strand Infant School building which is going to be demolished to make way for a new Open Door centre.

Open Door provides care for problematic drug users, homeless people, those who have recently left prison, sex workers and asylum seekers, among others.

Residents are concerned because the site is next to a school, a children's park and a residential home for the elderly.



Jon-Paul Howarth, Labour councillor for East Marsh, said: "These facilities will be next to many elderly people's homes who are vulnerable, but surely they should be protected and not be among drunks and drug users who will be coming from Open Door.

"I am not against Open Door, but surely there is a safer and better environment for it?

"East Marsh needs lifting up, not dragging down with more Open Door facilities. I don't feel the need for any more Open Doors, because we already have two in the area, Freeman Street and Cleethorpe Road.

"Children will also be unsafe in the area, and they won't be able to play in the park because of the proximity of the centre.

"I would be more than happy to find North East Lincolnshire Council another premises which is a more suitable preposition."

Rob Baty, social care manager for Open Door, said: "We have over 1,000 patients and they are not sex offenders, we look after their sexual health, such as the people at Nicoles Massage Parlour, of Grimsby Road.

"We make sure they are safe and their sexual health is protected.

"So, it wont be people like sex offenders using Open Door, the service is open to the whole public because we offer a range of activities such as ear candling and t'ai chi. It will be a state-of-the-art facility with everyone able to use it."

A concerned resident told the meeting: "I have been mugged by a drug user coming out of Open Door, and I am frightened to leave the house now because of it.

"I would be even more frightened now with this facility on my back door step, with alcoholics and drug users hanging around outside the building."

Nigel Bishop, head teacher of Strand Community School, which replaced the infants and the nearby junior school, welcomes the spending of public money, but hopes safeguards are put in place to protect pupils.

He said: "We all hope the children will be safe in the recreational area, because we wouldn't want children walking past drug users who are hanging around the area.

"We need to work together and discuss the issues so we are assured that the residents and children will be safe."

The facility, which will be funded by the Department Of Health, will be home to 20 members of staff and will deal with 160 visitors each day.

Keep reading your Grimsby Telegraph for updates.