A family fun day marked the culmination of a consultation exercise on the future of Phoenix House.

Its estimated more than 150 people attended the event, which was held at the community centre in Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, last Saturday.

Attractions included Mickey the Magician, a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, a variety of stalls, a bouncy castle, a tombola, a coconut shy, hook-a-duck, face painting, live music with the Key Street Band and a barbecue.

Free lollipops, balloons and toys were also handed out.

Members of Swale Community Centres (SCC), which has been operating the building for more than 25 years, asked visitors to share their opinions on what they would like to see provided in the community when the lease on the building expires.

People’s views were also gathered at two focus days at the site last month.

The facility was threatened with closure in 2012 after SCC was served notice on its tenancy agreement and told its funding would stop.

That meant more than 50 community and voluntary groups had less than five months to find a new meeting place.

Kent County Council (KCC), which owns the property, said the decision was due to the fact the building was part of the Spirit of Sittingbourne’s redevelopment plans.

However, the site was later earmarked as a temporary base for the Sittingbourne Adult Education Centre.

KCC eventually backtracked and extended the lease until February 2017.

With 19 months until eviction, the trustees have started looking at what the future holds.

Manager Sara Seabridge said: “Many who came to the fun day were not necessarily aware of the range of services available at Phoenix House and went away with various leaflets and flyers that advertise our groups.

“So far, over 140 questionnaires have been completed by existing service users, many of which expressed concerns that they would not be able to access services if no central location is provided.

“SCS believes a community centre in the heart of Sittingbourne is still very much needed and that funding will need to be secured for a new building that can continue to serve groups and members of the community.”