A Suffolk community centre has apparently been withdrawn from auction by estate agents after a charity campaign to save the building for the community.

First aid charity St John's Ambulance had wanted to auction the Westbury Centre, in Fairfield Road, Framlingham through Savills Auctions, but has seemingly had a change of heart after receiving letters opposing the move.

Nick Corke, chief executive of Hour Community, said he had received an email from the medical organisation's chief executive Shona Dunn on Friday explaining that the property had now been withdrawn from auction.

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He said his charity had been trying to buy the premises for the last four years in an effort to save it for the community and had nominated the building to be listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), which gives the community a right to buy the property if it is listed for sale.

Mr Corke said he was hoping to persuade Framlingham Town Council to provide the charity with some money from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to buy the Westbury Centre and save it for the community.

Nick Corke, chief executive of Hour Community, was grateful St John's Ambulance had withdrawn the Westbury Centre from auctionNick Corke, chief executive of Hour Community, was grateful St John's Ambulance had withdrawn the Westbury Centre from auction (Image: Brittany Woodman) The CIL is a planning charge that local authorities can set on developers to raise funds to pay for infrastructure.

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St John's Ambulance has embarked on a major restructuring programme to tackle significant financial issues as its accounts showed it recorded a deficit of nearly £17 million in 2023.

Part of this process has involved selling off property to try and recoup its losses, including the Framlingham centre.

Mr Corke said: "This community raised money to help build that as well about 20 odd years ago.

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"We are now basically waiting for St John Ambulance to say how much they want for it.

"We want a price from them to raise the money to buy it. The community would like to retain it and that is what we would like to do.

"We are really grateful that they have pulled it from auction because somebody from elsewhere could come in and buy it."

St John's Ambulance has been approached for comment.