From: Brian Screaton
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 2026, 17:53
Subject: Clarence House
After much deliberation and a great deal of sadness the trustees of Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland have made the decision to sell Clarence House.
You may or may not be aware, but the building has been run at a huge financial loss over the last few years despite our efforts to turn things around.
Not only have maintenance and energy costs gone up dramatically, but since covid less and less people have been using the building meaning that the level of income we previously generated through lettings and room hire has gone down significantly.
Feedback, we have received more generally, is that older people, since covid times, have become increasingly nervous about using building-based activities and now prefer to focus on more community based initiatives.
To make matters worse Humberstone Gate is now subject to a lot of anti-social behaviour. On a day-to-day basis we have lots of people hovering around Clarence House who can sometimes be threatening primarily because they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
I know the decision will be disappointing both for yourselves and your fellow Wyvernians but Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland has no choice. The level of financial losses has been seriously impacting the other services we aim to deliver in the community.
It is anticipated it will take a long time for Clarence House to sell. We have been advised that because of the state of the economy, there will not be a great deal of interest.
Be assured, if this is the case we will not be closing the doors for the foreseeable future. Our aim is to keep Clarence House open and operational until a sale offer has completed.
We have taken the view that this might take as long as 1, 2 or even 3 years.
Please feel free to contact me if you wish to discuss the content of this email.
Regards
Tony
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