East Barnet community bids to buy former youth club

Residents in East Barnet are working to raise £10,000 in small donations to support a community bid for the former Quinta Youth Club. The fundraising effort is part of a plan to acquire the derelict building, which Barnet Council is selling for £300,000. The deadline for demonstrating community backing is mid-October, after which the council can proceed with the sale.

The Quinta Youth Club, located on Mays Lane, has been derelict for two decades. The current fundraising target aims to provide Barnet Council and potential charity donors with evidence of local backing for a new community hub. Gina Theodorou, chair of the Quinta Village Green Residents Association, stated that the number of local people contributing, even small amounts, is crucial for demonstrating resident support.

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Charity Support and Community Value

Two charities, Hadley Trust and Common Nature, have expressed potential interest in providing financial assistance for the community's purchase and redevelopment of the youth club. This support is contingent on the local community uniting behind the plan and the success of their bid. Barnet Council is currently prevented from selling the property until 17 October due to a successful application to designate the building as an asset of community value, which granted the community a six-month window to prepare their bid.

Ms Theodorou highlighted that the community bid faces competition but emphasised the building's original purpose was to serve the local residents. The Quinta Village Green, now operating as a community interest company, has commissioned feasibility studies for a single-storey community hub, with the possibility of additional first-floor accommodation. A community survey has received approximately 130 responses, with efforts underway to gather more input from young people.

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The proposed community hub aims to address a lack of youth provision in the north of the borough, as identified in Barnet's youth strategy, while also serving as a multi-generational space. Potential facilities include a café overlooking Quinta Village Green, rooms for local organisations, and areas for teenage activities. Architectural designs are being developed by Simon Kaufman, with cost assessments being conducted by Graham + Sibbald.

The Hadley Trust has already funded significant professional consultancy work and has formally indicated its serious interest in supporting the acquisition. Sir Philip and Lady Hulme, founders of the trust, have stated their impression of the project's professionalism and commitment, and expect to continue supporting the acquisition and development, subject to due diligence. Common Nature has also indicated possible support through a community land purchase facility.

Upcoming Stakeholder Event

To further promote the community hub plans, a 'vision and stakeholder' night is scheduled for Wednesday 30 September at 7pm at the clubhouse of the East Barnet Old Grammarians. The event aims to build support for the bid before it is formally presented to Barnet Council.