People are invited to attend a family fun day so they can share their views and opinions on the future of Phoenix House.

It takes place at the community centre in Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, this Saturday between 2pm and 6pm.

There will be live music, children’s entertainment, bouncy castle, barbecue, games and a Mad Hatter’s tea party plus much more.

The facility was threatened with closure in 2012 after Swale Community Centres (SCC), which has been operating the building for more than 25 years, was served notice on its tenancy agreement and told its funding would stop.

It 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 it was due to the building forming 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 and reinstated funding.

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

Manager Sara Seabridge said: “They believe a community centre in the heart of Sittingbourne is still very much needed and that funding will need to be secured for a new build that can continue to serve groups and members of the community.

“An initial consultation was held in 2013 to develop a design and locate suitable land in the town centre.

“SCC, Phoenix House has secured an Awards for All Lottery grant to undertake a second consultation exercise aiming to establish evidence of need for such a facility in the town.

“Swale CVS are working in conjunction with SCC to gather the opinions of local people.

“This will enable us to demonstrate the value of a central community facility to prospective funders.”

To fill in the online survey visit http://swalecommunitycentres.weebly.com

Forms can also be collected from Phoenix House or by calling Zoe Deveson at Swale CVS on 01795 426081 or email zoe.deveson@swalecvs.co.uk