We were informed by the Belvedere Community Forum on 28 January that they would be unable to run the Belvedere Community Centre beyond 28 February. 

This was sad and unexpected news. The Forum have been running the centre for the past 11 years and their lease is not due to end until 2039. 

We are now working with the Forum and local groups to see if we are able to support a new provider to run the centre on an interim basis. We hope that this will enable classes and events to continue to run as normal.

The management of the centre will then have to be marketed to the community sector to allow other interested parties to express an interest in running the centre on a permanent basis. 

We recognise that the Centre is a very popular part of the Belvedere community and we will do all we can to support the Forum with the transition while the new management is put in place. 

Cllr Brian Bishop, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said:

This is a sad day for the community centre but I feel sure that we will be able to find another group who will be willing to take it on so it can continue to thrive."

We are fortunate to have a number of very busy community settings in Bexley including the new centre at The Nest in Thamesmead and the popular Slade Green Centre."

I’m sure that working together with the Forum we can provide a positive outcome for centre users.”