Centre's Future is Safe

Written by A Guardian Reporter and published in Epping Forest Guardian on Fri 10th Nov 2006

THE future of the Roding Centre, Buckhurst Hill, has been secured after the parish council completed the purchase of the venue.

The centre had been deemed surplus to Essex County Council's requirements - along with Theydon Bois Youth Centre.

But now, after lengthy negotiations, the centre has been sold.

Parish councillor Malcolm Woollard said: "After five weeks the transition will be completed and Buckhurst Hill will really own the centre at last.

Immediate arrangements are being made to bring the centre to conform with modern safety and fire regulations.

"There will be certain building works to be done, hopefully to be completed during that time."

He added: "There may be delays in areas where some alterations are made but we trust that all our old hirers will soon be able to return to their old slots in the calendar as we promised when all the negotiations started so long ago.

"That is not to say that we are not on the lookout for new bookings.

"We already have some enquiries from interested people - youth groups and other interests."