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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Nicola Findlay

New base secured for Lanarkshire Men's Shed group

An East Kilbride Men's Shed group group have secured a new base after their lease was terminated by their landlord.

The group were based at Westcoast Storage Centre in College Milton, but found themselves homeless last year.

Running since 2014, the charity, which aims to provide a social outlet for mostly older men to tackle isolation and loneliness, had used the base for four years.

Members carried out a number of Zoom calls and regular catch-ups with each other during lockdown but a row broke out last year between the landlord of the storage unit - who was chairman of EK Men's Shed at the time - and members.

But the group have now secured a lease for the vacant St Leonards hall to develop a new 'Shed'.

It is understood it will be a one year temporary lease with a view to securing a permanent one.

The council has recorded no bookings for the hall since 2009 but prior to closing was used for dance class, toddlers and lunch club.

There were calls for a community takeover of the hall.

Local councillor, Jim Wardhaugh, has welcomed the news that the facility, which has been used to store equipment, will be put to good use once again.

"This is a great boost for the EK Men's Shed after they had to vacate their previous premises," he told Lanarkshire Live.

"The group provides a valuable resource for the community and a place for members to socialise and help reduce isolation and the new base will be well-used.

"St Leonards hall lying empty for all this time has also been a real waste - it's effectively been used as a store cupboard. I am just delighted it will be used once again by the local community once again."

Paul Creechan, Men’s Shed development officer at South Lanarkshire Council, said the charity provides "vital support" to its 50 plus members.

He told us : “After a long journey and a lot of hard work from the Shed committee it is a huge boost to have new premises confirmed that are suitable for developing a Shed.

“Men’s Sheds like ‘East Kilbride Shed’ provide many health benefits for members.

"As we collectively recover from the pandemic it is great news for the local community that the Shed doors will soon reopen.”

EK Men's Shed were contacted for comment.

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