RESIDENTS and parish councillors who attended a meeting about the future of Dufton Youth Hostel were told yesterday that two options will be considered before any decision to close is finalised.
Youth Hostels Association chief executive Roger Clarke met with concerned members of the community in the village after holding talks with Eden District Council and Cumbria County Council.
The 36 bed accommodation was earmarked for closure in March after the association lost £5 million nationally because of foot-and-mouth disease last year.
Mr Clarke said that following talks with the local authority, consideration would now be given to either allowing another accommodation provider in Dufton to cater for YHA guests, or approaching funding bodies to find the £200,000 required to bring the hostel up to standard.
Members of the public, who attended the meeting, told of their fears for businesses which rely on trade from the hostel, and their belief that the decision to close is a foregone conclusion.
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