Going, Going, Gone!

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Former community centre goes under the hammer

A former community centre building has been sold off by the Council for almost three quarters of a million pounds.

The property, at 59 Godolphin Road and formerly home to The Hut Association, was sold by auction on Monday (June 22) and went under the hammer for £735,000.

The three-storey building had been on the market with Savills at a guide price of £585,000. The sale details described it as: “A good size end of terrace property (C3 use) requiring modernisation, having potential for conversion to residential, subject to the usual consents. Vacant.”

The Hut Association was a registered charity which provided social, educational and recreational facilities and services to the local community. It ran activities such as parent and toddler groups, parent support groups, Saturday schools, senior citizens' social and lunch clubs and organised regular outings, family day trips, fun days and festivals.

Two years ago, community groups campaigned and petitioned to save The Hut and other borough resources such as the South Lodge of Margravine Cemetery in Hammersmith, the Castle Club in Broomhouse Lane, Fulham and Wormholt Community Centre, all of which were slated to be sold off by the Council as part of cost-cutting measures.

However, The Hut closed down last year and the building has been boarded up for several months.

Explaining what the Council intended to do with the money raised, Cllr Antony Lillis, cabinet member for community and children's services, said: "Residents will be relieved to hear that the money from the sale of The Hut will go towards reducing the Council's overall debts - and, of course, if we pay less interest this will ease the burden of Council Tax on all of us. Every £1 million we can reduce that debt by saves us £100,000 per year in repayment charges, which helps us to cut Council Tax year on year. We have already reduced our workforce by 18% overall and have sold off several buildings which were not fully occupied. We will continue to work to provide residents with the best value for money deal possible."

Yasmine Estaphanos

23 June 2009