A charity is closing its advice centre and shop in Inverurie after 20 years of serving the community.
Gordon Rural Action will shut its advice centre in Inverurie on Friday, and will scale back its remaining provision in Huntly.
The charity, which offers guidance on benefits, debt and employment, previously closed its Ellon centre last year, blaming funding cuts.
After its Inverurie premises winds up, service will continue at its remaining site on Gordon Street in Huntly will continue until April 1.
The charity has argued it had to make the decision due to changes in how Aberdeenshire Council awards funding for organisations providing the kind of service offered by Gordon Rural Action.
It argued that the new system “precluded” the organisation from participating in the tendering process, however Aberdeenshire Council last night insisted that was not the case.
Diane Mathieson, interim head at Gordon Rural Action, said: “This is a very upsetting day.
“We are worried that local people seeking advice and support will lose this local resource.
“However, you have to be optimistic to properly help people so we will put all our efforts into doing whatever we can to support those who need us and we have relied on us for so many years, pointing them to where they can find alternative support.”
After April 1, Gordon Rural Action will continue to develop its Huntly Advice Hub, which the charity described as a “multi-partner, one-stop shop bringing together different agencies under one roof to help quickly and effectively resolve client issues in a joined-up fashion.”
A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said: “We do recognise the positive contribution Gordon Rural Action has made.
“Previous funding arrangements for the provision of independent information and advice services, which included Gordon Rural Action, came to an end on December 31, 2019 in line with revised arrangements for commissioning these services.
“Following a fair and transparent procurement process, a new contract for the delivery of information and advice services across Aberdeenshire in December 2019 with the successful bidder.
“We understand Gordon Rural Action will be closing the doors of their Inverurie branch and, while this is regrettable, we would like to offer reassurance that these important services are continuing to be provided across Aberdeenshire.”
