Highbury Fields Bandstand has been a part of the local community for the last 50 years
SHARE:
The Highbury Fields Bandstand daycare centre has offered young children a £2-a-day stay and play service for the last 50 years – but it might not be around for much longer.
In April 2017, Islington Council announced they would be cutting the centre’s funding by 70% to just £7000 per year.
According to the managers, the cuts mean the centre might need to reduce its opening hours to just two days a week – or worse – shut down completely.
Assistant Manager, Lorraine O’Leary, said: “If we’re only open a couple of days a week, some parents can only use it on certain days of the week.
“This would be a problem especially to dads that might only have their kids one day of the week or mums that work and can only get one day off.”
She added: “We don’t want to close. The centre is a key resource for struggling families.”
Islington Council said that the cuts to the centre are a result of ongoing cuts by Government.
However, they insist they will continue to work with the Bandstand to help it find other forms of funding from charities and other public bodies.
In the meantime, the managers of the Highbury Fields Bandstand are appealing to local residents and asking for donations.
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineHighbury Fields Bandstand daycare centre could face closure due to council cuts
Short HeadlineIslington daycare centre faces closure
StandfirstIslington Council has cut funding to the centre by 70%, with managers says this could result to a complete shut down.
The Highbury Fields Bandstand daycare centre has offered young children a £2-a-day stay and play service for the last 50 years – but it might not be around for much longer.
In April 2017, Islington Council announced they would be cutting the centre’s funding by 70% to just £7000 per year.
According to the managers, the cuts mean the centre might need to reduce its opening hours to just two days a week – or worse – shut down completely.
Assistant Manager, Lorraine O’Leary, said: “If we’re only open a couple of days a week, some parents can only use it on certain days of the week.
“This would be a problem especially to dads that might only have their kids one day of the week or mums that work and can only get one day off.”
She added: “We don’t want to close. The centre is a key resource for struggling families.”
Islington Council said that the cuts to the centre are a result of ongoing cuts by Government.
However, they insist they will continue to work with the Bandstand to help it find other forms of funding from charities and other public bodies.
In the meantime, the managers of the Highbury Fields Bandstand are appealing to local residents and asking for donations.
A 2024 Freedom of Information request showed Bromley Council had £4.5 million invested in arms companies that year with £1.5 million reportedly linked to Israel.
Undercover officers raided three linked shops in Barking town centre, revealing how illicit tobacco is being hidden in walls, ceilings and nearby locations to evade detection.
More than 330,000 people across the UK sought support from the Stop It Now helpline in 2025 over concerns about their own or someone else’s online sexual behaviour towards children, according to new charity data. The anonymous service says contacts by phone, email and webchat rose significantly over the year.
