Brixton Rec Users Group (BRUG) is considering the idea of applying to have the building listed as an extra layer of protection for the Rec.

The volunteer group that campaigns for improvements at Brixton Rec said:

“BRUG and Rec users fought off threats of its demolition in 2007 and 2012. Lambeth has committed £10m to developing the Rec. BRUG is concerned to ensure the future Rec remains a facility which Rec users and the community want. Having the Rec listed might assist us in this.”

Of concern to BRUG is some of the changes that the Rec may go through as part of Lambeth Council’s future plans for the building. Listing a building can ensure that repairs cause minimal damage to the existing structure.

BRUG add:

“Many listed buildings have management agreements that the owners produce and make public proper plans and consultations for changes, which have been largely absent from the Greenwich Leisure Limited’s ‘improvements’ to the Rec.”

The users group is optimistic that Heritage Lottery funding could be sourced to help with the listing status. The Rec has 76,000 visits each year – a figure that BRUG believes would gain a sympathetic hearing from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

This money would then be used to help fund the improvements that the Council has identified:

“Any Heritage Lottery funds would be extra to Lambeth’s and could be used to improve the sustainability of the Rec and pay for works that Lambeth see as value for money”.

A Lambeth Council Cabinet report identified back in July that £6m is needed over the next decade to keep the building open:

“Further maintenance and repairs in the order of £6m, based on engineers’ surveys, are required to keep the building open.”

The report stated that Cabinet is currently working to ‘identify’ where the funding will come from.

Like many groups and organisations around the borough, BRUG is still waiting to hear what the outcome is of the much-delayed Lambeth Council Cultural Consultation.

Cllr Jane Edbrooke, the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, had declared that the findings would be delivered in July.

October now appears to be a more likely date.

One of the ideas suggested in the much-criticised consultation was to include a ‘digital hub’ at the Rec.

Related posts:

Brixton Rec Users Group issues Myths and Facts statement to clear up financial confusion over the Rec

Brixton Rec Users Group criticise Council Rec study with concern it focusses on cuts rather than future

Brixton Rec Users Group calls public meeting to find out what puts people off from using the facility

George IV becomes the first building in Lambeth to be listed as an asset of community value.

Brixton Rec Users Group call for support for caterer after management give notice to quit