Groups face 'eviction' while centre has £2m upgrade

Ealing Council pledged the cash this week to address health and safety concerns at Hanwell Community Centre, which has fallen into disre-pair after being left untouched for decades.

Work could start as early as January next year to remove a large amount of dangerous asbestos, install a new roof and address other critical structural problems.

The extensive repairs are likely to require the closure of the building for up to 11 months, and while they are widely welcomed, fears have been expressed about the long-term well-being of organisations using the centre.

Carolyn Brown, chair of Hanwell Steering Group, said: "I'm very pleased that the money has been ratified.

"We just need to make sure that the centre doesn't close."

And Jeri Appiah, chief executive of mental health charity MIND in Ealing, which uses the centre, said: "We support the work being done, but the way in which it is being done may create problems.

"If the centre is shut down for 12 months, it would mean relocating. This could be disruptive and expensive."

Both organisations fear there would be no point returning to the community centre after a year-long absence as they would have had to set up else-where.

Talks are now under way between the council and the Hanwell Community Association on how the repair work will be managed.

Council leader Jason Stacey said: "This is an exciting project. I'm real-ly pleased we've been able to step in now to ensure these much-needed repairs.

"What we are planning to do is cost up the options of full and part closure. At the moment no-one disagrees that the building needs work."

Tenders are due to be submitted from contractors this autumn