BACKERS of a crisis-hit Worcester centre for the homeless are not optimistic over its future.

Yesterday, the Evening News revealed the Maggs Day Centre could close after being refused a £22,000 Government grant.

The Deansway centre is now £15,000 short of the money needed to operate until next March.

Centre chairman Bob Peachey is confident of raising the cash to guarantee its future, but major backers were pessimistic.

"We give Maggs £10,000 a year and have agreed to underwrite central heating installation costing around £6,000," said Paul Griffith, chairman of Worcester Consolidated Municipal Charities.

"No planning permission has been granted but if it is, we agreed to pay the cost unless money can be raised elsewhere.

"It's unlikely we could give any more.

"I can't understand why Maggs didn't get any Government money.

"What the Government's doing seems short-sighted in tackling the problem in London when most of those sleeping on the streets there come from areas like this."

Alex Gay, of the Eveson Charitable Trust, said £12,000 was given to Maggs in March.

"The trustees expect people to leave 12 months between applications but if there are emergency occasions they might not stick to that arrangement," he said.

"They look for centres like Maggs to have a mix of funding."

Tony Audas, director of cultural and community services, said city council funding for Maggs had risen from £5,000 to £15,000 this year, although the council was unable to increase the funding because it had been set for the year.

But a county council spokesman offered hope.

"Social services is looking at funding for Maggs very carefully and has had talks with Mr Peachey," he said.

Mr Peachey says he can continue for the rest of the year without extra cash but would have to exhaust reserves meaning its closure at the end of March.

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