Published: Thursday, 20th August, 2009 12:00pm

Award winning IT centre is back online

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A COMMUNITY IT centre which had its internet connection cut off by council chiefs is being switched back on after The Chronicle intervened.

But yesterday (Wednesday) mystery still surrounded the reason for Reading Borough Council's decision to sever its link to the award winning Southcote IT Experience (Site) and whether it will continue long term funding.

Fears that Site would have to close, making 15 paid staff redundant, arose after the connection was turned off without warning in the middle of an exam last month.

Volunteer tutor John Bowsher told The Chronicle: "The first we knew was when the internet went down and we thought it was a problem at our end and started doing all the checks."

There are suggestions that the council is looking to save money but Mr Bowsher said: "No-one seems to have given us an answer."

For nine years Site has offered free IT courses and creche facilities to groups including the unemployed and retired, relying on grants and donations, including the internet access provided by the council.

Site is based at Southcote Youth and Community Centre in Coronation Square and has 2,000 visits a year, with 50 new people joining a term.

Jean Nicholls, from Corwen Road, Tilehurst, who took beginners' classes for over 55s, said: "Most people haven't got a computer at home so it is a great resource. We browse the internet, we learn to type messages and we can keep in touch with relatives."

Council spokesman Chris Branagan refused to say why Site was cut off but added: "In view of the urgency of the situation and the high value we place on Site's work in the Southcote community, we are making interim arrangements to restore its internet connection before its next IT courses commence in September."

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