A DECISION to surrender the lease of a community building to Cumbria County Council (CCC) has been met with a backlash.

The authority now owns Millom Network Centre (MNC) after taking over from the charity, which was set up after the building’s £1millon completion in 2004.

Millom councillor Jane Micklethwaite said the transfer would be ‘diabolical’ for the town centre.

She said: “Now the building is owned by the county council, I’m confident the town’s library will be moved to the centre.”

Currently, the library is located below the town council hall on St George’s Road.

“This could be diabolical for Millom as it will take visitors away from the shops within the town centre, which could be a disaster," she said.

Ms Micklethwaite, who has been involved with the centre since it opened, added: “I’m appalled with the way the centre has been acquired too. The centre was set up as a charity to support people around the area.”

The centre’s services have now been moved to Unit 3 on Borwick Rails, which Ms Micklethwaite said was not big enough for community events, including Alcoholics Anonymous.

A Cumbria County Council (CCC) spokesman said: "CCC is pleased to be supporting the local community in Millom through the retention and accessibility to the Millom Network Centre.

“No decisions have been made to move any other council services to the centre.

“However, we are keen to work alongside our town and district council colleagues to regenerate Millom, continue to identify opportunities, and enhance and support the economy.”