Local residents are protesting over plans to make Raines House in Wapping into a Community Hub.
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Raines House has been a community centre for forty five years.
On Monday they held a protest party to gain signatures for their petition to keep the centre as it is, after Tower Hamlets Council want to revamp and market it as a hub for hire.
The members argue that the council must not close Raines House, as it brings them together at an age where they are lonely.
Harry White, ex-manager of Raine’s House and grandson of Bradley Humphreys, a local to the House, said, ‘the community is predominantly over sixty. They can’t tell you what they’ve done midweek as it’s not a lot.’
‘This is their only time to go out; lonely is what they would be without it.’
The council is developing a network of community Hubs across the borough of Tower Hamlets, of which Raines House will be one.
The first was opening in Christian Street at the end of last year.
The proposal for Raines House is to refurbish and enhance the existing building to create a Community Hub.
Community Hubs are designed for use by local community groups with priority given to voluntary and community sector organisations.
A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said, ‘Raines House is a beautiful Grade I listed building that requires essential building works.’
‘In order to deliver them, we are bringing the centre back into council management.’
‘The groups currently using the building can continue to use them on their existing terms until the planned and necessary building improvements have been made.’
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HeadlineProtests over Raines House in Wapping becoming Community Hub
Short HeadlineProtests over Raines House becoming Community Hub
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Raines House has been a community centre for forty five years.
On Monday they held a protest party to gain signatures for their petition to keep the centre as it is, after Tower Hamlets Council want to revamp and market it as a hub for hire.
The members argue that the council must not close Raines House, as it brings them together at an age where they are lonely.
Harry White, ex-manager of Raine’s House and grandson of Bradley Humphreys, a local to the House, said, ‘the community is predominantly over sixty. They can’t tell you what they’ve done midweek as it’s not a lot.’
‘This is their only time to go out; lonely is what they would be without it.’
The council is developing a network of community Hubs across the borough of Tower Hamlets, of which Raines House will be one.
The first was opening in Christian Street at the end of last year.
The proposal for Raines House is to refurbish and enhance the existing building to create a Community Hub.
Community Hubs are designed for use by local community groups with priority given to voluntary and community sector organisations.
A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said, ‘Raines House is a beautiful Grade I listed building that requires essential building works.’
‘In order to deliver them, we are bringing the centre back into council management.’
‘The groups currently using the building can continue to use them on their existing terms until the planned and necessary building improvements have been made.’
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