I write in response to some of the issues and concerns raised following the council’s proposals to refurbish Threeways Community Centre. (‘Save our bar’, Borehamwood & Elstree Times, July 1.) I am disappointed that some centre users feel the overhaul is a negative thing and felt it might be helpful to clarify the following: The community centre hasn’t been refurbished for ten years. There are a number of repairs which need to be carried out on the building and so it is a better use of council tax payers’ money to make other improvements at the same time. This refurbishment will take approximately ten to 12 weeks.

The improvements include amending the internal layout of the centre to allow more community groups to use it at any one time, converting the flat above the premises, moving water tanks from the roof, as well as generally improving the décor.

At the moment all the areas are interlinked and to access them you have to walk through the main hall.

Therefore the bar area will be removed and turned into a corridor so that access can be gained to all the individual rooms, without having to go through another room, so more groups can use it at the same time.

The building is a community centre. Those hiring the hall will still be able to have alcohol if they wish, or play music etc, but future plans do not involve having a permanent bar there. No other community centres which we manage have bars in them anymore.

The centre is not closing and is not going to be given over to one single group to have free rein.

We are already working with a local branch of a national charity, which hopes to use the centre as a base and are also in consultation with local scouts to see if they feel it is suitable for them.

We have been talking to Arundel Social Club about the plans and they have now submitted a business plan which will be duly considered.

The social club could continue to use the facilities if it so wished, by hiring out a regular slot in the week, as any other community group. The removal of the bar means that members would not be able to buy alcohol there, but if the feeling is that it is a way for friends and families to meet then this is an option for them to consider.

We are committed to ensuring Threeways Community Centre becomes a centre which many different groups can hire out for the benefit of the wider community. It really is time to put all the different aspects of our local communities back into a local community centre.

Councillor Brenda Batten
Portfolio holder for leisure, culture and health, Hertsmere Borough Council