From Granville Community Kitchen
I am really sorry to tell you that the South Kilburn Trust and the RCKa Architects have 'responded' to our outrage at the loss of the community Main Hall in Granville Plus Centre to a business hub.
When the community protested that it was losing the only large public space in the area, they have responded by taking all the community space in the basement to create a large 'event space there.
This event space will have no kitchen. They say this can be hired by the community so is a 'community space'
THIS IS NOT COMMUNITY SPACE!
That means the community lose the Granville Community Kitchen (GCK) and all the other spaces in the basement. It is said the Community Kitchen can go in the 'living room' kitchen on the ground floor. This space is open to anyone who comes into the building. This means that community groups, groups of parents and children, and vulnerable groups will have not have safe and dedicated space. Our children will not be allowed to be children with no space to play freely or safely. Anyone adult or child with lots of energy will have to be quiet and careful of their behaviour as they may disturb the business users.
It means the needs of business users are placed first, over the community who have been using the building for generations!
Community users and Business users have different needs! They need separate spaces!
If the building loses it's sense of community purpose THAT IT WAS BUILT FOR it is no longer a community building!
The Mayor of London of London says that London is for All. He speaks of social integration and economic fairness. Where is the social integration in destroying the fabric of the Granville Community Centre and pushing the community out? Where is the economic fairness if community is not given the opportunities to learn, to gather, to be supported, to express, to celebrate, to mourn? Economic fairness cannot be achieved without the social values that community bring.
Is this the legacy that the GLA, South Kilburn Trust and Brent truly want? One of reinforcing social inqualities? Of widening the gaps between the haves and the have nots? Of increasing social isolation of vulnerable people? Of not investing in the future of our children and young people? Of having people go hungry? Of valuing money instead of people?
The Granville is the HEART of the South Kilburn community. Rip it out that heart and it dies!!
WE CAN STILL CHANGE THEIR MINDS!
What can you do?
Come to Granville, Carlton Vale, NW6 5HE
This Wednesday 14 June
3pm - 8pm
Voice your anger about this! Tell them you want seperate community spaces where we feel safe and that we control.. We want the original purpose of the building prioritised and kept.
You will need to write it down but people will be there from GCK to help.
Please come and TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS to come too!
You can find Granville Community Kitchen at
The Granville Plus Centre, Carlton Vale, NW6 5HE
or follow us at
@GranComKitchen
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GranvilleCommunityKitchen