I am deeply saddened by the closure of Melvin Hall Community Centre in Penge. Now we must fight to ensure that it remains a community space. Sign my petition to ensure it is not sold off for profit, and to keep up to date with the latest developments.

As you will know, Melvin Hall was home to invaluable community groups, including the Beckenham & Penge Gateway Club, which provides vital support for people with learning disabilities and their families.

The Hall also offered space for much-needed community services, including clothes washing for the homeless, Monday Lunch Clubs, Diabetes Classes, Sign and Sing, Maternity Classes, children's birthday parties, and much more.

For over a year, I have been working alongside the local Labour Councillors in Penge, Kathy Bance MBE, Kevin Kennedy-Brooks and Simon Jeal, to support the Melvin Hall Trustees in the face of unaffordable rent hikes from Bromley Council.

Throughout this period we have been clear: this Conservative-led Council’s decision to hike the rent to commercial levels for a volunteer-run community centre was completely unacceptable. This dramatic increase has ultimately led to the closure of Melvin Hall.

Whilst Bromley Council may have given up on Melvin Hall, we have not. Sign my petition to urge Bromley Council to keep the Hall in community hands and to keep up to date with the latest developments.