THE Times Series has launched a campaign to back a historic community building which could close as early as next month due to lack of funding.

Avenue House in East End Road, Finchley, faces a black hole after losing £35,200 in its annual income.

If the estate does not raise £30,000 by the end of March its Grade II listed mid Victorian mansion and grounds could be closed to the public and handed over to Barnet Council.

The land was bought in 1874 by Henry Charles Stephens, otherwise known as Inky Stephens, son of the inventor of the famous blue-black ink.

He died in 1918, bequeathing Avenue House to the people of Finchley and the Times Series wants to make sure it remains open for future generations to enjoy.

The charitable company Avenue House Estate Management took over the running of the estate from the London borough of Barnet in 2002.

It spends £80,000 alone on maintaining the grounds designed by the famous landscape gardener Robert Marnock, who died in 1889.

Chairman of the estate’s trust, Bill Tyler said: “The cost of maintaining the grounds has been and is met entirely from income from room lettings and functions in the mansion.”

However, after losing two tenants last year and with less people booking private functions the trust is struggling to balance the books.

To make matters worse, the building and its grounds are also regularly targeted by thieves.

To date around £5,000 worth of plants, such as mahonias and rhododendrons, have been stolen and around £100,000 of lead from its buildings, including tiles from the balcony at the back of the house.

Partners who run services at Avenue House will be affected by the closure including Planet Party, which organises birthday parties for children, and North London Eating Disorders Group, which uses the building once a month.

The Finchley Society would also have to remove its extensive archive of old photographs, including more than 1,500 postcards, maps, press cuttings, old letters and artefacts which are currently housed in the basement.

Mr Tyler said: “We have already been told the mansion could be boarded up with minimal maintenance for the grounds.”

The trust said extra cash will allow them time to find new tenants and develop a new marketing strategy.

It also plans to reduce its expenditure and is currently thinking of ways to utilise the grounds to generate income.

Group editor Rachel Sharp said: “Avenue House was bequeathed to the people of Finchley almost 100 years ago.

“It is sad when an area loses its history. The world is a very different place now than it was in 1918, and it would be a shame if this historic building was forced to close to the public because of a lack of money.

“I hope residents will join in with the fundraising to make sure the estate can be enjoyed by future generations.”

Each week the Times Series will bring you the latest in the fight to save Avenue House.

To make a donation visit www.avenuehouse.org.uk or send a cheque made payable to Avenue House Estate Trust to Avenue House, 17 East End Road, N3 3QE.

To join Avenue House Friends Group and help raise money on behalf of the estate, email avenuehousefriends@hotmail.co.uk