A GROUP of residents are concerned a community centre in East Finchley is not providing sufficient services.
An open day will be held on Sunday March 13 to encourage people to suggest how the Old Barn Community Centre in Tarling Road should be run.
The event will be hosted by the Old Barn Action Group which is concerned about the site’s future under its current management committee.
William Hudson, a member of the action group said it provides “no community services” and residents have “been effectively barred from the centre”.
Mr Hudson said people are concerned about the site becoming a magnet for vandalism and anti-social behavior and blames the present management for making “no attempt to engage with the local community”.
However, the chairman of the current committee said the Old Barn is open to the community and is available for its use.
He said the centre can be hired for between £10 and £30 per hour and said the committee welcomes groups to run their projects at the Old Barn.
Mr Hudson said hiring the building shows “no commitment to actually providing services”.
He added: “We need to raise the profile of the situation, gather views on how the building should be run, and sign up support from local people to get the building back in proper use.”
A spokesperson for the council said: “It is the council's wish to restore fully the use of the Old Barn for local community purposes.
“The council is currently reviewing the position in respect of the lease and the building, and is unable to comment further at this stage.”
The open day will be held in Fallow Close behind the Old Barn Community Centre at 2pm.
People will be invited to fill out a community survey to detail what services they would like the centre to provide.
There will also be a barbeque and entertainment such as face-painting and music.
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