Hornsey town hall is set to be converted into a boutique hotel despite a petition signed by over 1,000 people.
Haringey this week voted to proceed with plans from Far East Consortium International, a Hong Kong developer, to turn the art deco building into a hotel, houses and community facilities, including an arts centre.
The 1935 building has fallen into disrepair and is now used by small businesses. Haringey said the “proposal will secure the future of Hornsey town hall with an arts centre and public access”.
Chris Currer, who is a leader of the campaign to block the hotel plan and a member of the Hornsey Town Hall Appreciation Society, said: “If you take away all the creative activity resident in the building, it’s not really an Arts Centre is it? It’s a venue. Attached to a hotel.
“We all understand that council finances are difficult at present, but creative and start-up industry presents tremendous opportunity for future economic growth. What’s growthy about a hotel?
“The community have been consistently in favour of arts space, creative and start-up activity in the Town Hall.
“Haringey’s choice seems to hinge mostly on the money; the community’s choice seems to hinge mostly on the definition of ‘community’”.
The old town hall building requires massive repair and renovation and Haringey Council invited bidders who would breathe new life into the site.
Alan Strickland, Haringey Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning said: “Finding a long term solution for our iconic and much loved Hornsey Town Hall has not been easy.
"But I am glad that after years of detailed work we are close to securing the future of this historic building and guaranteeing residents access to the Town Hall and square for generations to come.
“This proposal will secure the future of Hornsey Town Hall with an arts centre and public access so future generations will continue to enjoy one of Haringey’s most historic and loved buildings.”
If approved, works on site could start as early as autumn 2017.
Read More
MORE ABOUT