Making empty spaces available to community groups can be a ‘win-win’, Mayor agrees
Following a question from Sian Berry AM today, the Mayor of London agreed to look at better ways of using the GLA's empty buildings as ‘meanwhile’ spaces, rather than them being rented out by property guardian companies.
The Mayor said “It could be a win-win, if for example the community user goes into it with open eyes.”[1]
Research by Sian has found that many GLA and council-owned non-residential buildings are empty and there are many ways that citizens and community groups could make use of them as spaces.[2]
Sian says:
“I welcome the Mayor’s support for this and will be making sure that he follows up on his promise to me today, to meet community groups to talk about how the GLA’s empty buildings can be deployed as useful spaces.
“There are many community and cultural organisations that struggle to find short term spaces for their projects, and would happily take care of these buildings at no cost. The Hive in Dalston is a good example of how this is can be successful for whole communities.
“And on the residential side, the many people forming new co-operative housing groups could also make temporary use of empty buildings while they search for permanent homes.
A recent written response to a question from Sian revealed that the GLA group organisations do not use property guardian companies, and that Transport for London has recently stopped using them.
Notes to editors
Sian is available for interview
Sian Berry was elected as a Green member of the London Assembly in May 2016. She has been a councillor for Highgate ward in Camden since 2014.
Sian’s question for the Mayor was: In light of GLA Group organisations ceasing to employ property guardian companies to secure empty buildings, what is your view on the use of property guardians in public sector buildings compared with other options?
[1] Youtube clip of Sian’s question: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAE3WZkS-MU
[2] Sian’s questions to the Mayor of London about empty GLA properties:
http://questions.london.gov.uk/QuestionSearch/searchclient/questions/question_288064
http://questions.london.gov.uk/QuestionSearch/searchclient/questions/question_288063
Sian’s question to the Mayor of London about health and safety in buildings occupied by property guardians:
http://questions.london.gov.uk/QuestionSearch/searchclient/questions/question_288628