Elderly people will lose a vital lifeline if a community café is closed to help save the council £3.6 million.

Organisations representing pensioners in the town said plans to close The Look In would spell ‘disaster’ for its users.

Bracknell Forest Council is proposing to cut the £60,000-a-year funding for the loss-making café and drop-in in Broadway in the town centre, under plans to reduce the deficit.

Terry Pearce, Bracknell Senior Citizens Forum chairman, said: “If it was to close it would be a terrible shame and something we would be totally against.

“I understand it’s a difficult time, but the council should focus on helping the most vulnerable.

“A lot of the people who use it are on a fixed budget and the prices match that – they can’t afford to go to a coffee shop.”

Bill Heffill, chairman of Bracknell Alzheimer’s Society, which holds drop-in sessions at the cafe, added: “If it was to close it would be a disaster, not only for us but for all the older people who use it.

“Our sessions have been hugely successful – we thought we might be waiting for a bit for word to get out, but we have been inundated.

“There is nowhere else in town to go, either for our sessions or for individuals.”

Council chief executive Tim Wheadon, who announced the plans said there would be a consultation before any action was taken and added it was hoped someone would step-in to save the cafe so it does not have to close.

Mr Wheadon also revealed 40 jobs at the council would go and swimming sessions and library openings times were likely to be slashed to help fight the effects of the recession.

Mr Pearce added: “I will certainly be making representations to the council once these plans are out for consultation and I urge other people to as well.”

Councillor Alan Ward, executive member for finance, resources and assets, said: “The possibility of losing The Look In is painful to me as I was instrumental in getting it opened some years ago, but unfortunately we have to make tough decisions.”

Sarah Frenet of Age Concern said:  “We are very sad to hear the news The Look In may close. However, Age Concern Bracknell Forest will be working closely with the council and the other relevant voluntary services, to look at how we can ensure that older people have somewhere to meet and be able to access the help and information they need.”

The council’s executive committee is due to debate the cuts tonight.

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