by Michelle Horst
Volunteers from a vital Hornsea charity have delivered their bid to purchase the former Resource Centre in Parva Road.
Following the closure of the minor injuries unit at the town’s hospital, Hornsea First Aid Centre has been located in a cabin in the car park of Tesco supermarket, off Southgate.
Fears for the future of the empty building grew when East Riding Council invited expressions of interest for it in winter. It details the property as being in a prime location, with easy transport access and “a range of open-plan rooms which lend themselves well to a variety of potential commercial or public facing uses”. Other important aspects include a kitchen and toilet facilities.
Businesses and residents expressed concern that the building would become a residential development despite the impact it would have on the area. As well as a sizeable commercial appeal, Hornsea First Aid Centre is one of a number of charities from the town hoping to secure the building and the adjacent green space.
The BBC One Show visited the cabin in February 2024, exposing the substandard facilities on site. Organisers continue to express their gratitude towards the support shown by Tesco but say the charity is in desperate need of a new location because of a lack of space, poor heating, lack of hot water and limited electricity.
In September, Bridlington and the Wolds MP Charlie Dewhirst delivered a 2,000-strong petition to East Riding Council on behalf of Hornsea First Aid Centre. Rosie Bullard, chairman of HFAC, said the addition of a delivery dropbox outside the supermarket made the limited accessibility difficult for patients to access the service.
Trustee Michaela Ward arrived with grandson Oliver to help oversee the final details of the charity’s expression of interest as supporters gathered at the cabin. Volunteers and trustees reviewed the bid before delivering the charity’s tender to the county council in person.
Hornsea town councillor Raymond Hall expressed his support for the charity and his passion for the town, saying: “It’s about the good of Hornsea.”
“They’ve struggled here for years,” said one patient, leaving the cabin. “They absolutely need somewhere else.”
Julia Beadle explained she was supporting Hornsea First Aid Centre’s relocation campaign because she knew how difficult it was for volunteers. She said: “They’ve worked hard to keep it going.”
The charity’s treasurer, Andy Bullard, was met by other trustees as he delivered the bid by hand to East Riding Council in Beverley ahead of the closing date of March 12.
Rosie added: “Fingers crossed.”