Weybridge Hall Press Release
Below is the text of a press release from the Friends of Weybridge Hall.
LOCAL RESIDENTS OFFER TO RUN HALL
Local residents have offered to run the threatened Weybridge Hall in order to avoid its closure.
Although Weybridge Hall is a vital community facility in the town centre, Elmbridge Borough Council has withdrawn funding for the Hall and is requiring all its users to move to alternative venues. Old folks’ groups, toddlers’ groups and community dance classes, amongst others, are struggling to find suitable alternatives. Although the Council has said it will consult once the Hall is empty of users, local residents fear that the Hall is destined for closure.
Over 1,000 people have now signed a petition asking the Council to stop its plans until it has consulted with the local community and Max Clifford, the well-known PR consultant, has offered financial support for the Hall. Despite this, the Council has refused to delay its plans.
As each week passes, more users are unwillingly giving up their use of the Hall, worried that they will have nowhere else to go when the Council finally forces them out. Concerned residents have written to the Council to offer to run the Hall, fearing that the Hall has no future if the local community does not get involved.
Jennifer Doyle, chairwoman of Friends of Weybridge Hall, says, “We’ve written to the Council with a formal offer to run the Hall. We have asked the Council to let us know if they’ll discuss this offer with us by Thursday 24 March. Although we’ve heard nothing from them yet, we’re hopeful that the Council will welcome the offer.”
The local information website www.allaboutweybridge.co.uk has further information on the feared closure of the Hall and a link to a petition for local residents to express their concerns about the plans.
Further information:
Please contact Jennifer Doyle on (0788) 054 2200 or jenny.doyle29@yahoo.co.uk
Coverage:
Walton & Weybridge Informer, 03 March 2011, page 3
Surrey Herald, 23 February 2011, front page
Surrey Herald, 17 February 2011, page 2
Surrey Advertiser, 16 February 2011
25th Mar 2011
