A CHARITY’S independent living centre, which was forced to close three months ago after the building suffered storm damage, has reopened today.

Half of the roof was blown off at Age UK Bradford & District’s centre in Wrose, Shipley, in January’s severe weather with rainwater infiltration damaging electrics in the building too.

Initially it was thought the centre in Wrose Road, which had only opened in November, would be back up and running after a few weeks.

But the repairs and huge clean up have seen the centre closed for 11 weeks in total, in what has been a difficult and frustrating time for staff and volunteers alike.

Suzanne Lovell, head of commercial operations at Age UK in Bradford, said: “It’s been very hard work for the team.

“We lost half of the roof in the storms in January and water had gotten into the electrics in the building so it’s taken a huge amount of work to get the property back in shape.

“It was a real blow to the charity as our information and advice area in the building had become full with appointments to support people across Bradford & District and then we had to call everyone to let them know that the centre had to be closed for safety reasons.”

The centre provides information and advice, access to products and services, as well as a charity shop and warehousing for stock destined for the charity’s shops.

Mrs Lovell added: “We are now looking forward to welcoming back the wonderful warehouse volunteers from the charity HFT, who we have all missed very much.

“We have heard that they are very excited to finally be coming back to support us.”

Staff and volunteers have been busy ensuring that the centre was ready for today's reopening, with the entire shop floor needing changing from winter stock to items for spring and summer instead.

They are also taking donations again and are looking to recruit a new centre manager and volunteers too.

Mrs Lovell said: “The centre has so many possibilities and we hope that people will support us.

“We are now trying to fundraise for disabled toilet facilities so that we can offer the training room to all groups across the district.

“We are also working with our partners from other voluntary organisations within Bradford to ensure that Wrose Independent Living Centre acts a community base for all, this will ensure that the centre provides a holistic and person centred support to individuals.”