Parents of children at a Hornsey youth club have said they are “dumbfounded and devastated” after hearing it may have to close within two months.

The Harringay Club in Tottenham Lane, Hornsey, has been run by the YMCA since 2020, and the charity has been in discussions with Haringey Council over its lease ever since.

The centre, which runs activities including gymnastics and ballet programmes, supports thousands of children and young people every week.

Last week, youth club staff said they opened a letter addressed to ‘YMCA’ and were “shocked” to read that the council had served the charity 60 days’ notice to leave the building.

This means its services at the centre would have to stop by July 31.

Haringey Council insists it no plans to evict any groups and that activities will continue.

But Jenna Dunseath, whose daughters have been going to the club for more than a decade, said she was “devastated” by the news.

She added: “There are hundreds of children in Haringey who are going to be adversely affected by this terrible decision.

“These young people rely upon this club for their physical and mental health and to connect with like-minded peers.”

Another mum-of-three, who did not wish to be named, said she was “absolutely dumbfounded”.

She explained: “I’ve lost count of the number of classes my children have attended at the Harringay Club - hundreds if not thousands over the years.

“My eight-year-old still goes three times a week, taking advantage of the incredible gymnastics and dance spaces.

“How can the council justify the closure of such an invaluable resource?

“It sends a strong signal that they just don't care about the welfare of our children and young people.

“Like so many angry and upset parents today, I’d like answers from the council now.”

According to Haringey, it has offered lease terms to the YMCA that have not been accepted, forcing the council to “protect its property interest” and issue a notice to quit.

But a director of YMCA London City and North, Chris East, has disputed the council's version of events.

Mr East claims that it was The Harringay Club that first approached the council over the legal issues, but the draft lease they requested "never materialised".

He said that the youth club had chased up with the council, but had not received a reply in the months leading up to the eviction notice.

The council claims there have been “many attempts” to negotiate the occupation of the building since discussions began.

YMCA has now said that there are fears that the council wishes to use the site for more housing, something that has been disputed by Haringey cabinet member Cllr Ruth Gordon.

Haringey Council has said that it has no plans to evict any groups from the building, and that the normal activities that take place will continue, even if an “amicable solution” with YMCA is not reached.

The authority attended a meeting with concerned parents yesterday evening (June 11), and will meet representatives from YMCA today.

Mr East said that the charity would ask the council to remove the notice to vacate at the meeting, and request that a new lease be drawn up to resolve the matter.