CHARITY Age UK, which offers support for older people, says it is very sorry after making the 'difficult decision' to close its Skipton office.

It comes less than two years after the North Yorkshire and Darlington district of the charity announced that the office in Swadford Street would be just one of two of its six offices to remain open. It blamed the closures and resulting redundancies on the 'devastating' economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Skipton office, which shared space in the Swadford Centre, was to be developed along with the other remaining office in Darlington, said the charity.

Now, Age UK  has closed the office in Swadford Street, and ended its contract with North Yorkshire County Council to provide services for older people in the area.

From Monday, the charity says the county council will work with Age UK North Craven, based in Settle, as well as other organisations, including Skipton Step into Action,  to support adults across Craven.

A spokesperson for Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington said: “Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington is very sorry to have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the North Yorkshire County Council’s contract to provide services in Craven, however due to a number of factors this was unavoidable.

"It has been a great privilege to be able to work with the council to help so many older people in the area.

"We appreciate that this news will be worrying for the older people who we support, as well as our staff and volunteers. Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington is committed to ensuring the smoothest possible transition to the new arrangements in the area.

“From January 24, the council will work with Age UK North Craven, as well as other local grassroots organisations, to continue to support adults in Craven to stay healthy and live independently.

“In the meantime older people and their friends and family in the local area can contact Age UK’s national advice line on 0800 169 6565 (8am–7pm, every day of the year) who can provide information and advice, and signpost to alternative services in the area.”

For information about the new ‘Stay Healthy, Independent and Connected’ project, contact Age UK North Craven on 01729 823066.

North Yorkshire County Council has been asked for a comment.