Celebrities join fight to keep Peckham community centre open » Communities » 24dash.com

A community-led centre in Peckham has gained support from comedian Mark Thomas and musician Manu Chao as the local council has threatened its closure after a decade.

An online petition against the closure has been signed by over 1,000 people including Peter Kindersley founder of Dorling Kindersley books and actress Paula Malcomson best known for her role as Trixie in drama series Deadwood.

The Spike Surplus Scheme, in Peckham, has been told by Southwark Council that it must pay £440,000 before the end of October - with an initial 10% deposit by September 26 - to purchase the property for the centre to remain open.

In a final attempt to raise funds the centre will be renting office and workshop space to those who are interested in using the facilities at Spike.

Comedian Mark Thomas (pictured), was born in South London and began supporting the centre after a trip there to borrow some equipment for a demonstration. He said he was impressed by what he saw: "This is a great place, with great history and with a bit of common sense and luck it will have a great future."

The volunteer-run centre provides music workshops, social well-being, environmental initiatives and community gardening free of charge. It is open to local people of all ages as a space for them to collaborate and create in a safe environment.

The centre is largely self-sustaining and furnished with recycled and donated equipment. It relies on donations from local users, mostly in terms of time and skills rather than cash in such a poor neighbourhood.

Local resident, Jamila Sami, said: "Now is not the time - with the increasing gun and knife crime - to be closing such an inspiring and empowering community space. This cannot happen!"

The council had helped local people support Spike until now but has decided to terminate its lease at the end of the month announcing it will sell the property.

The news comes at a time when serious crime in the borough has been highlighted nationally.

Spokesman for Spike, Paul Kelly said: "This directly contradicts their commitments as outlined in the Community Strategy - Southwark 2016 where they state they 'encourage and support self-help and community-led activities that help create safer, stronger communities and improve quality of life and community cohesion'."

Mr Kelly said: "Manu has been a friend of Spike since hearing about us during his gig at the Brixton Academy.  He likes the music we produce during the sessions as our musical influences are similar."

Spike currently hosts music rehearsal spaces, recording studios, yoga, massage, martial arts, meditation, reflexology and free horticulture courses.

It had requested a year to organise a financial package to enable it to continue but the council wants to sell before property prices fall again. If the appeal is not successful, it may be forced to close as early as next month.

Local teacher, Tom Yardley, said: "The loss of the Spike will have a devastating effect on the local community. It provides networking, facilities and inspiration to a large number of people from a diversity of cultures.

"The positive effects of its presence are incalculable in an area that is very much in need of a sense of community with a positive influence on young and old alike."

The Spike is so-called because a "Spike" was a common name for a shelter of last resort. George Orwell documents having visited the 'Spikes' in the 1930s.

Anyone interested in renting office or workshop space at Spike please contact Paul Kelly on 07903652149.

To sign the petition against the closure visit www.petitiononline.com/paulk/