THE organisers of Lydbrook Parents and Toddlers playgroup say the doubling of rent for 'tatty' Lydbrook Memorial Hall is the last straw.
However the hall committee say the rent rises are only proposals and the state of the hall is due to an unforeseen – and unwelcome – outbreak of dry rot.
"As it is we have suffered a huge fall in numbers because it is so unwelcoming and in bad repair," said Celia Fleming, who is appealing for anyone with suitable alternative premises to get in touch.
She said the number of toddlers using the group had fallen dramatically from 25 to 30 at its peak to just nine at present – mainly because parents were upset by the state of the premises.
"It hasn't been decorated for ages and in one part where the children have to go to get their toys there is no floor, which is no good for toddlers. It also has a gas pipe across it. There is building work going on too, and chairs are stacked high which could be very dangerous. It's in a terrible state.
"Under the circumstances I don't see how they can justify putting up the rent – it has gone from £7 to £15 a session and we just cannot afford it, especially with the numbers we have now.
"I really want to find somewhere else where we can operate in nice clean premises at a reasonable cost. Please, if there is anyone out there, get in touch."
But Denise Hogan, chair of the hall committee, said the fact the playgroup was upset had not been helped by a breakdown in communications and she was going to meet them this week to explain the situation.
"We have an outbreak of dry rot and that has taken all the money from the kitty which we were going to use to improve the hall," she said.
"We are going to hold a Christmas fair at the hall on December 8 to start raising money for more work."