Tower Gardens Community Corner CIC is determined to keep the site of a former ‘Sure Start’ centre for use by local residents, reports Joe Ives, Local Democracy Reporter
A community group in Tottenham are on a mission to save a public building from being sold by Haringey Council.
Tower Gardens Community Corner CIC wants to keep 100 Tower Gardens Road, a three-story Edwardian building and outdoor play area, in the hands of the community.
The local authority originally converted the property into a ‘Sure Start’ centre which was then closed down in 2011. The building was used as Haven Day Centre for older people until its closure in 2016.
In February the Tower Gardens community interest company released a statement arguing that the building “could once again become a shared space that brings people together and supports everyday community life”.
The group say they have heard ideas from hundreds of residents on how the space could, if reopened, once again serve the community.
A representative from Tower Gardens Community Corner CIC recently told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that it is having ongoing discussions with the council and hopes to put together a proposal to the local authority’s cabinet around September this year. If successful, this would see the council give them a lease with an option to purchase the building.
Dayal Strub from Tower Gardens told the LDRS that this would create a “much-needed chance to open the building, bring the community together and start showing that all our dreams, feasibility studies and planning can be turned into a reality, which would in turn, strengthen our case to funders”.
The CIC has already run a successful fundraising campaign, reaching its £5,000 target on its GoFundMe webpage.
“The community came out in strength and provided the money needed to pay for the building condition survey, the retrofit survey, and more,” said Dayal, adding: “We were also awarded a SIB Reach Fund grant for further feasibility work.”
The community group has now commissioned a building condition report, architectural drawings and an “initial” business plan. It says it is also talking to heritage specialists and community asset specialists as well as local groups and businesses.
Crew Energy, a not-for-profit community benefit society (CBS), is currently carrying out an assessment to “understand the building’s potential and cost” going forward.
Dayal says the CIC is trying to deliver community activities using the space over the summer, with a jumble trail and community picnic planned. Right now, however, it is unclear if these events will be able to go ahead.
This, says Dayal, is due to discussions with the council about a temporary, summer lease currently being delayed, preventing the community group from being able to apply for funding.
Nevertheless, he remains optimistic: “We are confident that, assuming we are allowed to use the space over summer, our neighbours will show up, help out, and contribute to making it a last-minute success.”
Dayal’s comments came shortly before the full results of last week’s local election were known. The election saw the Labour administration that had previously been in charge of the council voted out. The Green Party won the most seats, but not enough to form an outright majority.
As such, it remains to be seen what the new administration, once it takes shape, plans to do with 100 Tower Gardens.
For more information about 100 Tower Gardens:
Visit towergardens.org.uk/100-tower-gardens-road
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