Statement on refurbishment at Hackney Town Hall Square

As a last resort, we have had to move a resident, who has been sleeping and storing belongings at Hackney Town Hall Square, to ensure they are safe ahead of refurbishment taking place.

This follows many attempts by the Council, our partners and other organisations to support them to take up offers of accommodation and move to a safe place to live during the time they have been based there. Unfortunately, they have chosen to remain where they are. 

Permission was provided by a judge at the High Court, after the resident was given significant notice of the work due to take place and the need to vacate the area for their safety.

We are aware of and share the concerns from the community about this person’s welfare. Our support teams remain ready to work with this person to move into housing, and we continue to encourage them to take up these offers of help.

More information:

Improving Hackney Town Hall Square

Work is taking place to upgrade Hackney Town Hall Square, Hackney Central Library and Hackney Museum. On the Town Hall Square, this includes restoring and improving the heritage features, improving the wider area around the square, and protecting the square’s role as a place for cultural, civic and community events and activities. This includes professionally cleaning the steps leading to Hackney Town Hall using specialist machinery and repairing the lamp and access ramp on the steps.

The project is part of a wider transformation of Hackney Central to make it greener, healthier and safer, funded through direct investment from central government.

Find out more: hackney.gov.uk/regeneration-hackney-central

Supporting rough sleepers

Our outreach team and partner organisations work throughout the year with residents found sleeping rough to support them into accommodation. We provide additional, tailored support for those who are long-term, entrenched or recurring rough sleepers.

We cannot take people off the street without their consent, but we do what we can to ensure every homeless person is safe.

If you’re concerned about a rough sleeper, tell us: hackney.gov.uk/rough-sleeping