Dear ‘Save The Sobell Centre Sports Hall’ Supporters, As many of you will have seen, a customer notice has been put up in the Sobell Centre that states the sports hall will be closed from 31 July to 9 August. Seemingly therefore, despite all our protests against these ill-conceived plans, as well as all the adverse publicity, they are intent on pressing ahead. We have therefore had no choice but to start legal proceedings before serious damage is caused by GLL’s contractor to the Olympic legacy, sprung timber floor, (by screwing hardboard on top, which is GLL’s definition of a “timber floating floor”!), or before they cause irreversible damage by cutting out 6.5 metres from the patterned, first floor concrete parapet wall (required to provide access to a “trampoline viewing mezzanine” with a ”slush puppy concession”! - yes really!). The formal 'Letter Before Action' that has been served by our solicitors Freeths on Islington Council, has been posted by our friends the Sobell squash group on their web site. You can also view all your petition comments and recent press articles. The link is as follows: http://www.sobellsquash.com/colleagues.php This 'Letter Before Action' is a pre-action protocol letter forewarning Islington Council of our intention to start legal proceedings to judicially review their decision not to allow any public consultation. Given the imminent start of substantial works, we have stipulated that the Council must confirm by 4 pm on Thursday 27 July 2017 that the works will be halted and for an all parties meeting to be arranged shortly thereafter. The latest press article is also below, making clear our determination that Islington Council should not avoid its legal obligation to engage in a proper, meaningful, public consultation. Councillor Janet Burgess, who is the executive member responsible for this proposed trampoline park, has also posted a letter in the Islington Tribune regarding the £2 million loan that is being provided to GLL. My response is shown below her letter. As I conclude: “This is no way for democratically elected politicians to act and even at this late stage we would call on Islington Council and GLL to call a halt to the project and as they should have done, consult with current Sobell members, customers and local residents” : http://islingtontribune.com/article/funding-for-sobell-centre-trampoline-park-entirely-above-board Finally, we only need a few more signatures to get over 1,000! As a final push, please forward a link to this web site to your family and friends, particularly those who use the Sobell: https://www.change.org/p/petition-to-save-the-sobell-centre-sports-hall Thank you for your support and particular thanks to Barry Hill (our tireless Sobell Customer Representative) and Celia Clarke. If anyone wishes to contact me, my e mail is – johnbarberlpa@gmail.com