Save Our Fairfield’s campaigners and supporters have reacted with dismay at the announcement of a July closure date for Fairfield Halls, despite no operational plan or strategy in place from Croydon Council for when the building is due to reopen in 2018.
The announcement is disappointing, but comes as no surprise to campaigners, who have been calling on the council to adopt a phased refurbishment so that at least one of Fairfield’s three venues could remain open throughout. It’s not too late.
Questions are still unanswered. How are the Council able to close down such a valuable local asset without properly discussing plans, costings and who will be operating the venue once it finally re-opens?
Over 100 loyal full time staff have been made redundant as well as the volunteers, apprentices and casual staff who work at the venue. The Council sees these job losses merely as collateral damage and will not allow anything to stand in their way.
The fight goes on. We will continue to campaign for those being needlessly evicted at Fairfield Halls. Many groups supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged people, as well as the tens of thousands of local school children who participate in performances and events at the Fairfield Halls, will lose their valuable connection to the arts in Croydon for over two years.
There are still negotiations to be had to make sure the Council make adequate alternative arrangements for these people, once closure goes ahead.
Please help us to show Croydon Council that we disgaree with their intentions to close the venue down during refurbishments. If we can show large enough public opinion against the plans we could make a difference and encourage a public meeting, where we can ask for more details about costs, plans and who will operate the venue when it opens in the future.
PLEASE WRITE OR EMAIL NOW!
Send emails to: [email protected]
Or write to: Cllr Timothy Godfrey c/o Town Hall, Katharine Street, Croydon, CR0 1NX
Thank you for supporting the Fairfield Halls and please follow the campaigners progress on Facebook and Twitter.
Please act – use the hashtag #Saveourfairfield