A Moray day centre for adults with learning disabilities has been forced to close due to staff shortages.
Towerview in Forres will shut from Tuesday after recruitment initiatives have failed to attract employees to the town.
Yesterday, Moray Council stressed the disruption is only expected to be temporary. However, service users and their families have been warned that the building is not likely to open again until October.
Taxi services have been organised to take people to the Cedarwood Day Centre in Elgin while the facility is closed.
Yesterday Forres councillor Claire Feaver described the late notice given to families as “disappointing”.
She said: “I have repeatedly asked for information regarding Towerview over the last year and have been given very little information regarding its status in the portfolio of care provision in Moray.
“The important thing is that it is reopened as soon as possible.
“It really does seem that Forres is getting a very poor deal. We are a growing town and yet our community facilities are under continual threat of closure for one reason and another.”
Moray MP Douglas Ross added: “I’m seeking an urgent meeting with Moray Council to discuss what can be done as this is a hugely important facility.”
Towerview is the latest service in Moray to suffer from a recruitment crisis, which has also affected the NHS and teaching posts.
The building offers people with learning disabilities the opportunity to develop their communication and daily living skills as well as encouraging hobbies.
Arts and crafts, physiotherapy, massage and music therapy activities are run as part of the service.
A Moray Council spokesman explained that efforts have been made to ensure that people can continue to access services.
He said: “Clients of Towerview day service were notified on August 9 that the facility will have to temporarily close due to staff shortages.
“A free taxi service was made available to all clients for the journey to and from the facility in Elgin. As is widely reported and commented on, recruitment continues to be an issue in the sector.”
