Community spaces and community centres are a vital part of any community offering affordable space for family parties and where community groups like youth and pensioners clubs can meet.

Years ago in South Canning Town alone there were three substantial community centres purpose built by Newham’s housing department. Two of these have gone and the third is standing empty. Two other important centres in the area, based on local churches, have stood the test of time and still function.

This sort of problem exists all over the Borough. A newcomer is the Old St. Luke’s which uniquely is owned by a charity that is funded by its letting offices in the building. St. Luke’s has been able to rent out its halls at a heavily subsidised rate to local people and this has helped a healthy growth in community activities over the years.

Our experience letting halls at St. Luke’s shows that there is a huge demand for flexible space that can’t be met. Also a newcomer is Newham Council’s managed space located at Rathbone Market although it does risk making it too expensive for the community to use.

What can be done about this? Firstly, Newham Council must ensure that there are purpose-built affordable meeting spaces included in the Custom House and Canning Town Regeneration plans.

Second, effort must be put into reclaiming and putting to use what spaces there are already available or that could be made available in the area.

Money is of course the big issue. Unfortunately, Council-run buildings at the moment cost more. What is needed is a community/ council working party to be set up that will be committed to creating and managing low cost spaces for all.

The fact is that there are spaces and there is non-council money available for such an effort.

John McNeill is Director of Custom House and Canning Town Community Renewal Project.

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