LAst chAnce for leAse holders

Council gives final warning to community association

A community group could lose its lease to run a community centre after complaints of alcohol-fuelled disorder. The Westwood & Ravensthorpe Community Association (WRCA) is on its final warningbeforeitstradingarm is removed as the lease holder of Stafford Hall in Wicken Way, Hampton Court.

Peterborough City Council, which owns the building, wants to see more activities there outside of using the bar.

Adrian Chapman, t he council’s service director for adult services and communities, said there have been a number of ongoing issues relating to the bar.

He added: “Following emergencytalkswiththecommittee this week we have advised its members that unless improvements are made over the next three months we will consider terminating their lease of the building.

“Wewillalsobemonitoring use of the bar, ensuring that the conditions of the license aremetandonlymembersuse it.” The council said last week it was terminating the lease before changing its mind.

TonyCocksedge, treasurer of the WRCA, said neither the councilnorthepolicehadever raised any issues.

Headded:“Peoplearemaking these things up. This is a complete pack of lies.”

Councillor Ed Murphy, member for Ravensthorpe, said: “I’ve asked the council to provide assistance to the volunteers running our community centre and invest in improvingthefacilities rather than the threatened closure.”

Mr Chapman said the council has no intention of closing the centre, which hosts the Happy Days PreSchool and runs activities such as karate and yoga.

A Cambridgeshire police spokesman said: “We have beencalledtoanumberofdisorderandalcohol-relatedincidents at Stafford Hall, mainly at the end of last year.”

Stafford Hall in Wicken Way.