Former Housing office in Bethnal Green promised to community - at last.

11.58.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Sep 2009

Bethnal Green North residents and local Councillors Azizur Rahman Khan and Stephanie Eaton have welcomed the commitment made by the Leader of the Council last night that the former Housing office on Bishops Way will be given to the community.

Councillor Khan said "We have been working hard to persuade the Council that this building is needed for community programmes, which will ensure that older people, women and young people can have activities that will educate and entertain them. It has been a long time and many people have had to collect signatures, make presentations to full Council and speak with community leaders. I am very happy that the Leader has now promised that the building will be used by the community."

Councillor Stephanie Eaton speaking at an Ifthar party in the building last night said "For the last three years this building has mostly been standing empty and unused. Each year we have obtained last minute permission to use it during Ramadan. Even a couple of months ago officers wrote to me to say the building would be used as a Pupil Referral Unit and not be given to the community. I am pleased that there has been a change in the decision about the use of this building and that, finally, the community will have permanent access to it and this place will be a hub of community life for everyone in Bethnal Green North."