Elmbridge Council's cabinet has voted to close Vine Hall and build housing on the site.
They are 'exploring options' for a new hall as part of the redevelopment but this is by no means a guarantee that one will be provided, and if it is then it could be smaller than what we have now. Elmbridge say it will cost upwards of £200,000 to remove asbestos, fix the structure and make the building energy efficient. Instead they want to close Vine Hall and have the Molesey community go to Hersham Village Hall which is not a viable option for locals and defeats the purpose of trying to get people to walk and cycle.
Vine Hall is widely used by local people for dance classes, pilates, tuition, karate, by Molesey Musical Theatre, zumba and fitness, a polling station and many children's parties. A council user survey in 2017 recorded 85% positive customer satisfaction.
The Molesey community has not been consulted, or given the opportunity to give feedback to the plans. WE WANT TO SAVE OUR LOCAL HALL!
We are calling on Cllr Stuart Selleck, Leader of the Council, to:
1) RE-OPEN Vine Hall as soon as safe to do so - not keep it closed until a redevelopment is imposed.
2) We want public CONSULTATION on any new hall and
3) for the Council to consider handing over the existing Vine Hall to the community to run it.