Users of a 150-year-old learning centre have handed over a 1,600-name petition to keep it at the heart of community services.
The Panmure Centre, where thousands of Carnoustie people have been schooled since 1864, has been part of an Angus Council consultation about how services are delivered in town.
This prompted fears that council services could be “scattered to the wind”, away from Kinloch Street.
Nicky Milne and Cecilia Slater, who attend computing classes at the centre, have now handed in a petition they hope will preserve the “Pannie” as the town’s social education hub.
James Smieton’s Panmure Works employed 600 people and ran 400 looms at its height in the 19th Century.
He built the Panmure Works Institute for the education and recreation of his workers and the centre has been at the centre of town life since.
Mrs Milne told members of the communities committee in Forfar: “Today’s current education comes in the form of IT and literacy skills, English for beginners, knitting groups, and arts and crafts for children to name just a few.
“There is a community spirit within this building and there is a sense of belonging.
“This will be sadly lost if Angus Council were to split the groups up as previously suggested, by moving them to locations throughout Carnoustie.
“The centre allows many people who would normally be alone and isolated to come together.
“We have devised a petition online and in paper, and have collated 1,621 signatures, voicing that they wish the Panmure Centre to continue offering Angus Council services in this safe environment.”
Communities committee convener Donald Morrison suggested councillors could meet council officers to discuss concerns.
Local elected member Brian Boyd welcomed such a move, saying “I think the ladies have done an excellent job.
“We do need to have a full audit of all council buildings, throughout Angus and within the town, not just the piecemeal approach of closures that we seem to be doing just now.”
A council spokesman said: “While we are exploring options for the building, we are not looking to withdraw services from Carnoustie.
“We will work with the current users to find an alternative venue if we do move out of the building.”