DAY care centre users in Knutsford are celebrating after bosses at the council completed a u-turn in their plans to close the much-loved facility.

But in a bitter-sweet announcement for healthcare campaigners, Bexton Court, a centre that cared for people with dementia in the town, has officially been closed for good.

Cheshire East Council announced at its cabinet meeting on Monday, that the Stanley Centre, in Knutsford, would remain open and money will provided to separate it from the older Stanley House and to improve bathroom facilities.

However, Bexton Court – which in a temporary move closed it’s doors to patients in September 2010 – will not reopen.

In September last year, the council unveiled plans that would have seen users of the Stanley Centre moved to leisure centres in Wilmslow and Macclesfield and the Stanley Centre closed.

But after a consultation with carers and users, plus a 6,507-name petition from pressure group KAFKA, the council has decided that it is the best place for the users.

Clr Roland Domleo, cabinet member with responsibility for adult services, said: “The people of Knutsford made it very clear that Wilmslow was too far away and the best local option was still the Stanley Centre.

“Knutsford Town Council strongly support continued service provision at the Stanley Centre, but said with regard to the old Stanley House that ‘it felt this is not essential for the continuation of the Stanley Centre’.

“Bexton Court was temporarily closed in response to the temporary closure of the Tatton Ward, run by the East Cheshire NHS Trust. The two share similar facilities.

“We are now 18 months down the road and we can see no prospect of ever needing the beds in Bexton Court to be reopened.

“Cheshire East Council arranged a drop-in meeting for former users of Bexton Court and their families, but nobody expressed an interest in attending.

“I do believe there is support in Knutsford for the reopening of Bexton Court, but I do not believe that a sound business case can be made for doing so.”

Changes are intended to be made as soon as possible to deliver savings of £318,000 in the 2012/13 financial year.

The council could potentially get £1.18 million from the sale of buildings – including Bexton Court – deemed surplus to requirements.

What do you think about the decision to close Bexton but keep Stanley Centre open? Let us know by emailing knutsford@guardiangrp.co.uk.