A Healthcare Commission inspection has rejected claims of "sweatshop" conditions for a new service for the mentally ill inside a converted warehouse.

But users of the Springboard day centre, which is due to be closed by Kingston Primary Care Trust next Friday, say they are still not happy with what they are being offered in its place.

Kingston Voluntary Action has converted two warehouses at its Dickerage Lane site for furniture refurbishment, contract packing of poppies and bicycle repair. The popular carpentry and printing services have both been discontinued. The gardening project has been moved to Fircroft Trust's building in Surbiton.

A spokesman for the Healthcare Commission confirmed that the inspector was "satisfied" with the conditions in the warehouses after an inspection last week.

But Hazel Ball, a representative of Springboard users who resigned from the transition group, said: "I am concerned if clients get ill they can go into another department at the moment but they won't be there in the furniture project or at Fircroft."

Another user, who asked not to be named, said: "I didn't think the furniture project was adequate. I don't think the building is adequate. There's nowhere to have your lunch. The windows are way up high. The PCT have spent thousands of pounds setting up this service when they could have pumped it into Springboard instead."

Teresa Cousins, 65, who has been going to Springboard for 14 years, long before it was brought together on the Tolworth hospital site, said she would not go to the furniture project.

She said: "I think it is dangerous. I couldn't get up the slope to the door. People would have to help me up."

Ricky Nicholson, 43, from New Malden, said: "How are you going to fit 12 people in that building? It is unfair to split us up."

The transition group set up to ensure the closure of Springboard and opening of new services went smoothly and without users suffering, is currently meeting to discuss the final stages of the move.

Kingston Primary Care Trust had promised to take on board any recommendations from the Healthcare Commission inspection, launched after a complaint from former transition group member Councillor Mary Clark.