Drive to get communities back into Hackney’s estate halls begins

A major review is underway to help ensure residents, voluntary organisations and community groups get the best out of the Council’s community halls and spaces.

The Council owns 79 halls and spaces on estates, which are used for hosting parties, meetings, exercise classes and by community groups providing support to residents.

There are already a number of innovative uses of the halls including Kingshold Community Centre, which is home to CoCreate and the Community Closet, and Walrond Community Centre, where there is space for parents to work while their children receive early years education.

The review will look at how spaces that are less used could be revitalised, considering their location, facilities, current use and management and what investment may be needed. This will help form a strategy to make the best use of them.

"The Who Owns Hackney investigation includes a promise to get to the bottom of how council-owned buildings are really used to make sure that publicly-owned spaces truly provide public benefits.

“This is most important on our estates, where many of our 79 community halls are home to important local organisations, but others too often sit empty instead of living to their full potential.

“That’s why the council is undertaking a comprehensive review of these buildings as a first step to ensuring they meet the needs of our residents first.”

Cllr Dylan Law, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Safer Homes and Housing Services